Membrane for Reservoir Seals in Fluid Mixture Dispensing System

ABSTRACT

A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/146,461 filed Feb. 5, 2021, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Typical beverage dispensing systems combine a diluent (e.g., water) witha basic beverage component such as concentrates or syrups made up of amultitude of other ingredients. However, these basic beverage componentsoften require significant storage space and may even need to be keptrefrigerated to protect against spoilage. Accordingly, these basicbeverage components are most likely not even stored in the same room asthe beverage dispensing system, much less in the beverage dispensingsystem itself. In addition, each individual beverage may require its ownunique basic beverage component thereby further increasing storage spaceand the overall footprint of the beverage dispensing system.Furthermore, typical beverage dispensing systems cannot allow forcustomization of the beverage as well as household usage.

SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, fluid mixture dispensing isaccomplished by an automated fluid mixture dispensing system. The systemgenerates mixtures of beverages, cleaning products, cosmetic compounds,and/or various other fluid mixtures. Based on a user selection that isoptionally custom tailored by the user, the system is configured toprepare and dispense a variety of fluid mixtures based on a set of basicsolvents and ingredients. The system is able to rely on a predefinedchemical makeup of the fluid mixture in order for the system to preparethe fluid mixture. For example, chemical analysis of a specific wine orperfume results in a list of chemical ingredients or components thatmake up the specific wine or perfume. The systems disclosed herein areable to rely on such a predetermined list of chemical ingredients for auser-specified fluid mixture (e.g., chardonnay) to prepare that fluidmixture. Some chemical ingredients may be dispensed in the final mixturewith relatively large volume percentages (e.g., a glass of wine may haveabout 10-15% ethanol), whereas other components may be dispensed in avolume of less than 0.1 mL.

Accordingly, rather than forming a fluid mixture solely fromconcentrates or syrups, the systems disclosed herein are configured toform the fluid mixture based on predetermined amounts of individualchemical ingredients that make up the fluid mixture, allowing for alevel of customization and choice not available to current beveragesystems. In some embodiments, because a small quantity (e.g., less than0.1 mL) of an individual chemical ingredient can have a large effect ona fluid mixture property (e.g., taste), the overall storage or footprintof the system is significantly smaller than those dispensing system thatrely on syrups and/or concentrates.

According to various embodiments, a particular one of the systemsdisclosed herein comprises a plurality of ingredient reservoirscontaining respective ingredients and a combination of zero or more ofeach of the following components: a cartridge (also called an ingredientcartridge), optionally and/or selectively pressurizable, to contain theplurality of ingredient reservoirs; a solvent reservoir containing arespective solvent (e.g., a diluent); a solvent inlet, such as a waterinlet to connect to an exterior water supply; a mixing channel; adissolution chamber; a mixing chamber; a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle); adrip tray (e.g., waste storage); a carbonator; a heat exchanger; apneumatic system; a pump, such as a motor-operated or apressure-operated pump; a microfluidic pump; a fluid mixture holdersensor (to monitor whether or not a receptacle for the fluid mixture ispresent); a drip tray sensor (to monitor whether or not the drip tray ispresent and/or an amount of fluid in the drip tray); a dispensing sensor(to monitor a dispensing profile of the fluid mixture); a valve, such asan electromechanical valve; interconnection hardware such as pipesand/or tubing; a temperature sensor; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; auser interface, such as a control panel; a controller, such as amicroprocessor; and any other device, sensor, or equipment used in fluiddispensing systems.

In some embodiments, one or more sources (e.g., the ingredientreservoirs and/or the solvent reservoirs) are fluidly connected to oneor more collection points in a fluid path (a flow) from the one or moresources to the dispenser. The collection points include one or moremixing channels, mixing chambers, dissolution chambers, and, in variousembodiments, the dispenser. A number and a type of the collection pointsin a particular system is a function of the use (e.g., environment) ofthe system, and/or the types of solvents and the types of ingredientsrequired to produce desired fluid mixtures. For example, a beveragedispensing system is configured with a different set of componentsincluding different collection points and/or a different arrangement ofcollection points as compared to a cleaning fluid dispensing system.

In some embodiments, a flow of a solvent from a solvent reservoir isoptionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooled by a heat exchangeras it flows to a next collection point. (For example, the flow of thesolvent is through serpentine tubing embedded in the heat exchanger.) Infurther embodiments, one heat exchanger is configured to heat and/orcool two or more flows of solvents. In various embodiments, any of thecollection points is optionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooledby a heat exchanger. In specific embodiments, one or more temperaturesensors are used before and/or after a heat exchanger, such as tomeasure temperature of one or more input flows to the heat exchanger ortemperature of an output flow from the heat exchanger. In variousembodiments, temperature sensors are used in other parts of the system,such as to measure a temperature of a solvent in a solvent reservoir, atemperature of a solvent from a solvent inlet, or a temperature of afluid or a gas at any point in the system (e.g., fluid at the dispenseror gas in the cartridge).

In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to monitor any of thesensors (e.g., pressure sensors, temperature sensors, fluid mixtureholder sensors, drip tray sensors, or dispensing sensors) in real time,and is able to control any of the controllable components (e.g., valves,pumps, microfluidic pumps, pneumatic systems, or heat exchangers). Bymonitoring the sensors and controlling the controllable components, thecontroller is programmed to prepare one of a plurality of fluid mixturesaccording to a respective formula (also called a recipe herein) usingthe ingredients and the solvents. The controller is further programmedto produce a series of fluid mixtures of different types using therespective formulas, for example a glass of wine followed by a Manhattancocktail. A formula specifies things such as: an amount of one or moreingredients to be used; an amount of one or more solvents to be used; asequence of operations, such as order in which ingredients and/orsolvents are dispensed, or an order in which pumps and/or valves areactivated; heating and/or cooling instructions for one or more flowsand/or collection points; carbonation requirements, such as whether aflow of water passes through a carbonator or an amount of carbonatedwater to add; pre-dispense or post-dispense flushing instructions; othertechniques for producing fluid mixtures; and any combination of theforegoing. In some embodiments and/or usage scenarios, the controller isprogrammed to purge (flush) the system, such as by dispensing an amountof a particular solvent to flow through the system into the drip tray,in between producing fluid mixtures of different types. In someembodiments, the system is able to produce a fluid mixture up to oneliter in volume. In other embodiments, the system is able to produce afluid mixture up to three liters in volume. In industrial applications,the system is able to produce a fluid mixture of hundreds or thousandsof liters in volume.

In various embodiments, the controller has access to and/or contains alibrary of predefined recipes. According to various embodiments, thecontroller produces a particular fluid mixture one or more of: inresponse to a request, such as via a user interface (e.g., a controlpanel); in response to commands received over a network, such as from acomputer or a smart phone; automatically; according to a programmedschedule; other techniques for controlling production of fluid mixturesat desired times and/or places; and any combination of the foregoing. Infurther embodiments, the recipes are customizable, such as via a user ata user interface, to modify a particular recipe for a user's specificrequirements. For example, a user selects a recipe for a Manhattancocktail, but changes an amount of bitters to be used from a defaultamount.

In various embodiments with a fluid mixture holder sensor, thecontroller is programmed to only dispense the fluid mixture when a fluidmixture holder (e.g., a cup or other receptacle beneath the dispenser)is detected by the fluid mixture holder sensor. For example, thecontroller does not start producing a fluid mixture unless the fluidmixture holder sensor detects a receptacle beneath the dispenser.

In various embodiments with a drip tray sensor, the controller isprogrammed to determine whether the drip tray is present and/or anamount of fluid in the drip tray. In further embodiments, the controlleris programmed to not dispense the fluid mixture if the drip tray is notpresent and/or the amount of fluid in the drip tray is more than athreshold.

In various embodiments with a dispensing sensor, the controller isprogrammed to determine whether the fluid mixture to be dispensed orbeing dispensed has a satisfactory dispensing profile. For example, thedispensing sensor is configured to determine one or more of the flowrate, the viscosity, the carbonation level, the sweetness (e.g., thesugar content), or the alcoholic content of the fluid mixture.

In some embodiments with a flow sensor, the controller is programmed todetermine whether a flow of a fluid at a point in the system is asexpected (e.g., measuring the flow rate) and/or to determine a volume ofthe fluid passing the point in the system (e.g., measuring an amount ofthe fluid).

In some embodiments with a pressure sensor, the controller is programmedto determine whether a pressure in a container, such as in a pressurizedcartridge, is at a desired level, and/or to monitor a change in thepressure in the container over time.

In various embodiments, the controller is programmed to detect (such aswith a sensor) or determine (such as by accumulating dispensed amountsvs. an initial volume) whether a particular ingredient reservoir or aparticular solvent reservoir has less than a respective threshold amountof its contents remaining. For example, the controller is programmed todetermine after dispensing a number of fluid mixtures that a particularone of a plurality of solvent reservoirs is nearly empty.

In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to signal a condition,such as a condition reported by the fluid mixture holder sensor, thedrip tray sensor, and/or the dispensing sensor, to the user by visual(e.g., a flashing light or a message on a display) or auditory (e.g., abeep or a spoken phrase) methods. In further embodiments, in response todetecting the condition, the controller is programmed to hold a fluidmixture in a mixing chamber (e.g., by control of a valve) and notdispense the fluid mixture until the condition is rectified and/or auser overrides the condition. For example, lack of a cup to hold thefluid mixture as detected by the fluid mixture holder sensor causes thefluid mixture to be held in a mixing chamber prior to the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoirs contain ingredients, suchas a solid (including crystalline, powdered, or other forms of a solid),a liquid, or a gas, used in the preparation of a fluid mixture.Similarly, the solvent reservoirs contain solvents, such as a liquid ora gas, used in the preparation of a fluid mixture. In general, but notin all embodiments and/or usage scenarios, ingredients reservoirs have alower volume than solvent reservoirs, and/or ingredients are used influid mixture in lower amounts than solvents. Examples of ingredientsinclude flavorings, syrups, and chemicals such as citric acid (in solidform or in a solution). Examples of solvents include alcohol (e.g.,ethanol or isopropanol), water, ethyl lactate, and propylene glycol. Inspecific embodiments, there are at least three ingredient reservoirs. Infurther embodiments, there are a dozen or more ingredient reservoirs. Atypical system has two or more solvent reservoirs, but some systems haveonly one solvent reservoir, and other systems might not have any solventreservoirs. For example, a non-alcoholic, diet beverage producing systemwith a carbonator requires only a water reservoir, or alternatively awater inlet (with no water reservoir required). In specific embodiments,at least some of the solvent reservoirs are replaceable and/orrefillable (e.g., when an amount of solvent in the solvent reservoir isbelow a threshold).

According to various embodiments, an amount of a particular ingredientdispensed into a fluid mixture varies from fractions of a milliliter(e.g., 0.01 mL or less) to multiple liters (e.g., three liters). (Ofcourse, for solid or gaseous ingredients, equivalent variations in arange of the amount dispensed apply.) An amount of a particular solventused in a fluid mixture varies similarly. For example, a glass of winehas a 10% alcohol content, whereas a Manhattan cocktail has a 34%alcohol content.

In some embodiments, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs is containedin a cartridge. In further embodiments, there are multiple of suchcartridges, such as with different sets of ingredient reservoirs, asspare/backup cartridges, and/or in systems with multiple dispensers.According to various embodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs isof one or more types, such as: a bladder bag; a syringe; a gravitydispense chamber; a pellet dispenser; a pierceable volume; and any othercontainer used for a solid (including crystalline, powdered, or otherforms of a solid), a liquid, or a gas. In various embodiments, all ofthe ingredient reservoirs in a cartridge are of a same type. In otherembodiments, a cartridge contains ingredient reservoirs of two or moretypes. According to various embodiments, each of the ingredientreservoirs is of one or more sizes, such as: a small size (e.g., oneounce or less, or two ounces or less); a medium size (e.g., four ouncesor less, or eight ounces or less; a large size (e.g., 16 ounces or less,or 32 ounces or less); and other sizes or gradations as used indiffering usage scenarios. In various embodiments, all of the ingredientreservoirs in a cartridge are of a same size. In other embodiments, acartridge contains ingredient reservoirs of two or more sizes. Invarious embodiments, a cartridge (and the ingredient reservoirs itcontains) is a replaceable unit.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to dispense apredetermined amount of one or more ingredients from the ingredientreservoirs in a cartridge into one or more mixing channels. In variousembodiments, the one or more mixing channels are embedded in and/or arepart of the cartridge. In a first example, the ingredients are dispensedby individually controlled microfluidic pumps. In a second example, thecartridge is sealed (or contains a sealed interior chamber) and theingredients are dispensed, at least in part, by pressurizing thecartridge (or the interior chamber) and controlling respective valves ofeach ingredient reservoir to select which of the ingredient reservoirsis enabled to dispense. The controller is programmed to dispense a givenamount of each selected ingredient as a function of, by controlling,and/or by monitoring one or more of: the pressure (applied to all of theingredient reservoirs in the cartridge); a temperature, such as atemperature in the cartridge (or in the interior chamber); a duration oftime and/or a degree to which the respective valve of the ingredientreservoir of the selected ingredient is open; a viscosity of theselected ingredient; a size of a respective orifice from which theselected ingredient is dispensed; and other factors affecting dispensedamounts of the selected ingredient.

In some embodiments, a dissolution chamber is used to more fully combineparticular solvents and/or particular ingredients, such as by usingheating (with a heat exchanger) or agitation (e.g., a mechanicalagitator).

In some embodiments, a solvent, such as water, flows through acarbonator on a fluid path to a collection point.

According to various embodiments, any particular flow of solvents,ingredients, and/or a mixture thereof is moved (e.g., propelled) by oneor more of: pressure, such as pneumatic pressure; a pump; a microfluidicpump; gravity; and any other technique used in fluid dispensing systems.Further, the particular flow of solvents is optionally and/orselectively controlled at one or more points by fluid control componentssuch as valves (e.g., electromechanical valves such as solenoid valvesor other actuator-driven valves, one-way valves, two-way valves, checkvalves, ball valves, or butterfly valves) and other types of fluidcontrol or fluid routing mechanisms used in fluid dispensing systems.

In a first example system, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs iscontained in a pressurizable cartridge. To make a particular fluidmixture, selected ones of the ingredients from the ingredient reservoirsare dispensed, using pressure applied to the cartridge, into a mixingchannel. A solvent from a solvent reservoir also flows through themixing channel, creating an intermediate fluid mixture. The intermediatefluid mixture and one or more other solvents (optionally and/orselectively heated, cooled, and/or carbonated) are combined in a mixingchamber and dispensed via a dispenser.

A second example system is similar to the first example system but usestwo cascaded mixing chambers, a first mixing chamber receiving theintermediate fluid mixture and some of the one or more solvents, and asecond (final) mixing chamber receiving the output of the first mixingchamber and another one of the one or more other solvents. This allowsparticular ones of the one or more other solvents to be mixed in only atthe last collection point, e.g., to reduce contamination and/or tominimize a loss of carbonation.

In some embodiments, the ingredients in the ingredient reservoirscomprise at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerine(glycerol), fructose, glucose, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid,potassium phosphate tribasic, sucrose, potassium sulfate, succinic acid,acetic acid, citric acid, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide,3-methylbutan-1-ol, sodium phosphate dibasic, propanol, starterdistillate 9×, ethyl acetate, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol,2-phenylethanol, oxolan-2-one, iron sulfate heptahydrate, octanoic acid,hexanoic acid, 3-methylbutyl acetate, decanoic acid, hexan-1-ol, ethyloctanoate, furan-2-ylmethanol, ethyl hexanoate, 2-methylpropanoic acid,furan-2-carbaldehyde, ethyl butanoate, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, ethyldecanoate, hexyl acetate, 2-phenyl ethyl acetate,3-methylsulfanylpropan-1-ol, ethyl propionate, butan-1-ol,4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 5-methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde, isobutylacetate, 5-pentyloxolan-2-one, ethyl 2-methylpropanoate,5-butyl-4-methyloxolan-2-one, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol,2-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylphenol, 2-methyoxyphenol, and/or coloring agents.

It will be appreciated that any of the variations, embodiments, featuresand options described in view of systems disclosed herein apply equallyto methods disclosed herein and vice versa. It will also be clear thatany one or more of the above variations, embodiments, features andoptions can be combined.

Additional advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description. The embodiments anddescriptions herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and notrestrictive.

All publications, including patent documents, scientific articles anddatabases, referred to in this application are incorporated by referencein their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if eachindividual publication were individually incorporated by reference. If adefinition set forth herein is contrary to or otherwise inconsistentwith a definition set forth in the patents, applications, publishedapplications and other publications that are herein incorporated byreference, the definition set forth herein prevails over the definitionthat is incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart representing an exemplary method ofdispensing a beverage, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a fluid mixture dispensing system, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a fluid mixture dispensing systemwithout its casing, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fluid mixture system with atransparent casing having a water reservoir and an alcohol reservoir, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a multiple cartridges of a fluidmixture dispensing system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of the inside of a cartridge of a fluidmixture dispensing system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a simplified plurality of ingredientreservoirs of a fluid mixture dispensing system, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a cross section of the simplifiedplurality of ingredient reservoirs of the fluid mixture dispensingsystem of FIG. 5A, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5C illustrates a magnified version of FIG. 5B, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5D illustrates a magnified view of an ingredient reservoir in theclosed position to a mixing channel, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5E illustrates a magnified view of an ingredient reservoir in theopen position to a mixing channel, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of solenoids, on the underside of a baseplate, that can control ingredient dispensing into mixing channels of afluid mixture dispensing system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of an example of a front view of a fluidmixture system with a transparent casing, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a rear view of a fluid mixture systemwith a transparent casing, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of how an ingredient cartridge, aningredient reservoir, and an ingredient mixture can be defined, inaccordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 10, a “TCS” is atemperature-controlled storage capable of keeping stored contents at adesired temperature using a heat exchanger. A metering control element,as illustrated in FIG. 10, includes at least one of a valve, anelectromotive element, a pump, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor,a flow sensor, and a mechanical component (e.g., a tee, check valve,etc.).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example system flow diagram of a fluid mixturesystem, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 11, a “TCS” is atemperature-controlled storage capable of keeping stored contents at adesired temperature using a heat exchanger. A metering control element,as illustrated in FIG. 11, includes at least one of a valve, anelectromotive element, a pump, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor,a flow sensor, and a mechanical component (e.g., a tee, check valve,etc.).

FIG. 12 illustrates another example system flow diagram of a fluidmixture system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example exploded view of a bottom portion of aningredient cartridge in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example bottom view of an ingredient cartridgewith the membrane removed in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example cut-away perspective view of a portion ofan ingredient cartridge in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart representing an exemplary method ofpreparing and dispensing a fluid mixture in accordance with someembodiments.

In the figures, like reference numbers correspond to like componentsunless otherwise stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures illustrating selecteddetails of the invention. The invention is described in connection withthe embodiments. The embodiments in the present disclosure areunderstood to be examples, the invention is expressly not limited to orby any or all of the embodiments in the present disclosure, and theinvention encompasses numerous combinations, alternatives,modifications, and equivalents. To avoid monotony in the exposition, avariety of word labels (such as: first, last, certain, various, further,given, other, particular, select, some, specific, and notable) may beapplied to separate sets of embodiments; as used in the presentdisclosure such labels are expressly not meant to convey quality, or anyform of preference or prejudice, but merely to conveniently distinguishamong the separate sets. The order of some operations of disclosedprocesses is alterable within the scope of the invention. Wherevermultiple embodiments serve to describe variations in process, system,and/or program instruction features, other embodiments are contemplatedthat, in accordance with a predetermined or a dynamically determinedcriterion, perform static and/or dynamic selection of one of multiplemodes of operation corresponding respectively to one or more of themultiple embodiments. Numerous specific details are set forth in thefollowing description to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. In various embodiments, different numerical values may beused. The details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof the details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that isknown in the technical fields related to the invention has not beendescribed in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Described herein are fluid mixture dispensing systems and methods. Thefluid mixtures described herein can be prepared from a combination ofliquids, solids, and gases. According to some embodiments, a fluidmixture dispensing system includes a combination of one or more of atleast some of each of the following: a solvent reservoir (e.g., a waterreservoir and/or an alcohol reservoir); a dissolution chamber; aplurality of ingredient reservoirs; a mixing channel; a mixing chamber;a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle); a heat exchanger; and a controller. Insome embodiments, the controller is configured to receive a request fora fluid mixture and, in response to receiving the request for the fluidmixture, the controller is configured to: (1) flow a predeterminedamount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir(e.g., a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir and/or apredetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir) and apredetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality ofingredient reservoirs to at least one mixing channel to form anintermediate fluid mixture; (2) flow a predetermined amount of at leastone solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., water from awater reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) to a firstmixing chamber; (3) flow a predetermined amount of at least one solventfrom at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount ofwater from a water reservoir and/or flow a predetermined amount ofalcohol from an alcohol reservoir) and flow a predetermined amount of atleast one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to at leastone dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (4) flowa predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least oneingredient reservoir to a second mixing chamber; and (5) flow contentsof the first mixing chamber (if it is not the same as a final mixingchamber), contents of the second mixing chamber (if it is not the sameas the final mixing chamber), and the intermediate fluid mixtures, ifany, to the final mixing chamber. The system is able to dispense thefluid mixture (e.g., from the final mixing chamber) via the dispenser.Accordingly, the system is able to make numerous different fluidmixtures based on respective requests for the fluid mixtures. Once arequest is received for a fluid mixture, the system is configured toautomatically create and dispense the fluid mixture by flowing requiredamounts of solvents (e.g., water and/or alcohol) and/or ingredients fromtheir respective reservoirs to the final mixing chamber, and thendispensing the fluid mixture via the dispenser. In some embodiments, thesystem only has a single mixing chamber, which can be called a “final”mixing chamber. In various embodiments with multiple mixing chambers,there is generally a last (final) mixing chamber prior, in a sequence offluid flow, to the dispenser. In other embodiments, the dispenser actsas the final mixing chamber.

The fluid mixture dispensing systems described herein are able todispense all kinds of fluid mixtures. For example, fluid mixturesinclude, but are not limited to, beverages (e.g., wine, soda, tea,etc.), cosmetics (e.g., perfumes, makeup, etc.), cleaning products(e.g., shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc.), inks, oils, and a widevariety of other fluid mixtures.

In some embodiments, the system includes a controller. The word“controller” encompasses one or more controllers (e.g., one or moreprocessors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded controlprocessors, and/or CPUs). In specific embodiments of the invention, thecontroller can be a control system for the overall device even if thevarious control elements are separately programmed and are not part of acommon control hierarchy. In various embodiments, the controller is anydevice or system comprising one or more computer processors configuredto receive user requests, process each of the received requests, and togenerate and transmit one or more output signals in accordance withresults of the request processing. In some embodiments, the controlleris provided, in whole or in part, as all or part of a desktop computingdevice, laptop, tablet, mobile electronic device, dedicated processingdevice, computing module, processor, server, cloud computing system,distributed computing system, or the like. In some embodiments, thecontroller is provided locally with respect to the rest of the fluidmixture dispensing system (e.g., in or attached to the fluid mixturedispensing system), while in other embodiments, the controller isprovided remotely from the fluid mixture dispensing system (e.g.,outside and not attached to the fluid mixture dispensing system, such asat a remote server location). FIG. 9 illustrates an example of acontroller that is able to be used with and/or in the fluid mixturedispensing systems disclosed herein. As previously described, any of thesystems optionally includes more than one controller. For example, insome embodiments, a first controller is programmed to operate a userinterface and to communicate with other controllers in the system, and asecond controller is programmed to operate a fluid control system (e.g.,pumps, valves, and/or corresponding sensors).

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive userrequests, to process the user requests, and to prepare respective fluidmixtures for dispensing. In some embodiments, the controller isconfigured to dispense a fluid mixture (e.g., a beverage) in accordancewith the techniques described herein, such as with reference to FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to send one or moreinstructions and/or control signals to various other components of thefluid mixture dispensing system to cause the system to dispense a fluidmixture. In some embodiments, the instructions and/or control signalsare sent by the controller in response to a received request for a fluidmixture, and according to a recipe for the requested fluid mixture.References herein to the system receiving a request, performing anaction (such as flowing a solvent), etc., include a component of thesystem, such as the controller, a valve, and/or a pump, controlling,being programmed to control, monitoring, performing, or otherwiseenabling at least a part of the receiving the request, the performingthe action, etc. In a first example, the system controlling/monitoring(or being configured to control/monitor) an operation refers to thecontroller of the system controlling/monitoring (or being configured tocontrol/monitor) the operation. In a second example, the system flowinga solvent refers to pumps and or valves of the system (as controlled bythe controller) causing the solvent to flow.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart representing an exemplary method 100 fordispensing a fluid mixture (e.g., a beverage), in accordance withvarious embodiments. In some embodiments, any one or more variations ofmethod 100 (and/or of method 1600 as illustrated in FIG. 16) areoptionally and/or selectively combined, in whole or in part, with anyone or more of the systems, methods, devices, components, and/ortechniques described elsewhere herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of a fluid mixture dispensing system1 in accordance with various embodiments. In some embodiments, the fluidmixture dispensing system is able to be used for beverage dispensingand/or for a wide variety of other types of fluid mixture dispensing.According to various embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system isable to be a countertop or consumer electronic device, or a largerdevice installed in a restaurant or other commercial business.

In some embodiments, fluid mixture dispensing system 1 includes a casing2. In further embodiments, the casing is a protective outer casing thathouses various internal components of the system. According to variousembodiments, the internal components include one or more of at leastsome of each of the following: solvent reservoirs (e.g., a waterreservoir and/or an alcohol reservoir); ingredient reservoirs; mixingchannels; mixing chambers; heat exchangers (e.g., heaters/chillers);dissolution chambers; and various fluid moving mechanisms (e.g., valves,actuators, pumps, etc.). Fluid mixture dispensing system 1 optionallyincludes a user interface 3, such as a display, a keyboard, a touch padand/or a touch screen.

At block 102 of FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the system (e.g., acontroller of the system) receives a request for a fluid mixture (e.g.,a beverage). In some embodiments, the request for the fluid mixture isreceived via a user interface. In some embodiments, the user interfaceincludes a graphical user interface such as a touch screen. In someembodiments, the user interface is configured to display the requestand/or any modifications that are made to the request (e.g., by a uservia the user interface). For example, if a user requests a soda, theuser interface optionally and/or selectively displays options to modifythe soda, such as an amount of sugar to be added, a carbonation level,an overall volume, and/or a temperature, among others. In someembodiments, preparation of the requested fluid mixture is according toa predefined fluid mixture selected from a library of predefined fluidmixtures. In various embodiments, the library of predefined fluidmixtures (e.g., names of the predefined fluid mixtures, and/or formulasfor the predefined fluid mixtures) is able to be displayed on the userinterface for user selection. In some embodiments, the library ofpredefined fluid mixtures is stored remotely from the fluid mixturedispensing system, and is later sent or uploaded to the fluid mixturedispensing system. In various embodiments, the library of predefinedfluid mixtures is sent to the controller and is stored in a memory ofthe controller. In some embodiments, the requested fluid mixtureincludes ingredient modifications made to a selected predefined fluidmixture. In various embodiments, the user makes the ingredientmodifications using the user interface.

In some embodiments, user selection of a predefined fluid mixture andany subsequent modifications are made on a computer (e.g., smart phone,tablet, etc.), distinct from the controller of the fluid mixturedispensing system, that is capable of sending the request to the fluidmixture dispensing system, such as over a network.

In some embodiments, the library of predefined fluid mixtures is alibrary containing a list of components (e.g., chemical compounds, suchas ingredients and/or solvents) and corresponding amounts of eachcomponent for each predefined fluid mixture in the library. The list ofcomponents and corresponding amounts of each component for eachpredefined fluid mixture can be obtained from prior chemical analysis ofthe predefined fluid mixture. For example, a glass of Chardonnay with aparticular recognizable style or variety can be defined by a constituentlist of certain amounts of chemical components (such as acids, sugarsolutions, etc.) that are mixed into a larger mixture of water andethanol to form the glass of Chardonnay. The number of uniquecombinations of components can be unbounded. Thus, any particular fluidmixture (e.g., wine, soda, perfume, etc.) is assembled from a definedlist of components and corresponding amounts of each component, such asfrom a chemical analysis of a desired fluid mixture. In someembodiments, the systems disclosed herein accept the predefined fluidmixture information (i.e., a recipe for each of the predefined fluidmixtures) digitally and then translate that information into a controlprocess (e.g., control of mechanical/electromechanical valves and/orpumps) that dispenses the list of components in the correspondingamounts to form the requested fluid mixture. In various embodiments, therecipe for a predefined fluid mixture includes additional controlinformation, such as a sequencing of operations, a description of one ormore fluid paths to be used, temperature requirements, and/or control ofother parts of the fluid dispensing system as required to prepare thepredefined fluid mixture.

At block 104 of FIG. 1, in some embodiments, in response to receivingthe request for the fluid mixture, the system optionally and/orselectively is configured to control one or more of the following: (1)flow a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least onesolvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a waterreservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcoholreservoir) and flow a predetermined amount of at least one ingredientfrom a plurality of ingredient reservoirs to at least one mixing channelto form an intermediate fluid mixture; (2) flow a predetermined amountof at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., waterfrom a water reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol mixture) to amixing chamber; (3) flow a predetermined amount of at least one solventfrom at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount ofwater from a water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcoholfrom an alcohol reservoir) and flow a predetermined amount of at leastone ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to at least onedissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (4) flow apredetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least oneingredient reservoir to the mixing chamber; and (5) flow intermediatefluid mixtures, if any, to the mixing chamber. Examples of fluid pathsused in block 104 are illustrated throughout FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate example system flow diagrams of a fluidmixture dispensing system, according to various embodiments. In FIGS. 11and 12, each heat exchanger is optionally included in a given system.When included, each one of the heat exchangers is able to selectivelyadjust the temperature (e.g., of what is flowing through it and/or whatis attached to it) up or down. In various embodiments, the meteringcontrol element sets in FIGS. 11 and 12 include at least one of a valve,an electromotive element (e.g., a solenoid), a pump, a pressure sensor,a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, a mechanical component (e.g., atee, a check valve, etc.), and/or any other control, routing, or sensorcomponent used in fluid dispensing systems.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one solvent reservoircontaining at least one solvent. In some embodiments, the at least onesolvent comprises water, alcohol, ethyl lactate, and/or propyleneglycol. The at least one solvent reservoir supplies the at least onesolvent to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. For example, solventreservoirs 8 a (e.g., containing water) and 8 b (e.g., containingalcohol) are illustrated in FIG. 8, and FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate waterreservoir 10. In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality ofsolvent reservoirs (e.g., one or multiple water reservoirs, one ormultiple alcohol reservoirs, one or multiple propylene glycolreservoirs, one or multiple ethyl lactate reservoirs, and/orcombinations of the foregoing, among other variations and/or types ofsolvent reservoirs). In various embodiments, any one of the at least onesolvent in the at least one solvent reservoir is optionally and/orselectively diluted. For example, an alcohol reservoir contains 95%alcohol, not 100% alcohol. In some embodiments, a water reservoir orwater inlet optionally includes or is fluidly connected to a waterfilter that is able to remove impurities from the water prior to flowingthe water to other parts of the system (e.g., to a mixing chamber).

In some embodiments, the at least one solvent reservoir supplies solvent(e.g., any one or more of the at least one solvent) to the fluid mixtureto be dispensed. For example, a water reservoir is able to supply waterto the fluid mixture to be dispensed. In some embodiments, a solventreservoir comprises a solvent container housed within the fluid mixturedispensing system to supply one or more solvents to the system. The oneor more solvents are able to be used to dissolve or carry variousingredients to form the requested fluid mixture. In some embodiments, inresponse to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system (e.g.,via a controller of the system controlling pumps and/or valves) flows apredetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solventreservoir to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluidmixture.

In some embodiments, a water reservoir comprises a water containerhoused within the fluid mixture dispensing system. In other embodiments,the water reservoir is a standard water outlet such as a faucet or waterline that is connected to a water inlet of the fluid mixture dispensingsystem to supply water to the system. In some embodiments and/or usagescenarios, water is optionally and/or selectively used as a solvent todissolve various ingredients to form a requested fluid mixture. In someembodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, thesystem flows a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir toat least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture. Anexample of this is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, where, in someembodiments and/or usage scenarios, a predetermined amount of waterflows to mixing channel 11. The predetermined amount of water isoptionally and/or selectively mixed with alcohol from an alcoholreservoir (e.g., in ethanol cartridge 13) and/or ingredients from aplurality of ingredient reservoirs in mixing channel 11 to form anintermediate fluid mixture before flowing to final mixing chamber 7.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one solventfrom at least one solvent reservoir to a mixing chamber. In someembodiments, in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture,the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount ofwater from a water reservoir to the mixing chamber. An example of thisis illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, where, in some embodiments, apredetermined amount of water from water reservoir 10 is able to flow tofinal mixing chamber 7. Accordingly, the final mixing chamber isoptionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to a water reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one dissolutionchamber (e.g., dissolution chamber 12 as illustrated in FIG. 11) todissolve particular solid and/or gaseous ingredients before mixing in amixing chamber, such as with other ingredients and/or solvents. In theseembodiments, the controller is configured (according to a recipe) tooptionally and/or selectively dispense a predetermined amount of atleast one ingredient into the dissolution chamber for dissolution priorto the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient entering themixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predeterminedamount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to adissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In variousembodiments, the at least one solvent reservoir is optionally and/orselectively fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber, and thedissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connectedto a mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/orselectively flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from atleast one solvent reservoir to a gas dissolution chamber for dissolvinga gaseous ingredient, and optionally and/or selectively flows thegas-dissolved intermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber. In someembodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows apredetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solventreservoir to a solid dissolution chamber for dissolving a solidingredient, and optionally and/or selectively flows the solid-dissolvedintermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predeterminedamount of water from a water reservoir to a dissolution chamber to forman intermediate fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the waterreservoir is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to thedissolution chamber, and the dissolution chamber is optionally and/orselectively fluidly connected to a mixing chamber. FIG. 11 illustratesdissolution chamber 12, and FIG. 12 illustrates solid dissolutionchamber 12 a and gas dissolution chamber 12 b. In various embodiments,the gases include nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. In some embodiments,the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount ofwater from a water reservoir to a gas dissolution chamber for dissolvinga gaseous ingredient, and optionally and/or selectively flows thegas-dissolved intermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber. In someembodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows apredetermined amount of water from a water reservoir to a soliddissolution chamber for dissolving a solid ingredient, and optionallyand/or selectively flows the solid-dissolved intermediate fluid mixtureto a mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of at least one solvent isaccording to the requested fluid mixture. In other words, predeterminedamount(s) of solvent(s) that, in total, are flowed to a final mixingchamber, whether directly flowed or in one or more intermediate fluidmixtures, correspond to amount(s) of the solvent(s) required to dispensethe requested fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixture selected form thelibrary of predefined fluid mixtures). In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of the at least one solvent flows from a solventreservoir throughout the system via at least one pump.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of water is according to therequested fluid mixture. In other words, a predetermined amount of waterthat, in total, is flowed to a final mixing chamber, whether directlyflowed or in one or more intermediate fluid mixtures, corresponds to arequired amount of water in the requested fluid mixture (e.g., a fluidmixture selected from the library of predefined fluid mixtures). Forexample, if a glass of Chardonnay is selected and the predefined formulafor Chardonnay calls for a total of 50 mL of water from the waterreservoir, the system flows 50 mL of water to the final mixing chamberto be incorporated into the Chardonnay. In some embodiments, thepredetermined amount of water flows from a water reservoir throughoutthe system via at least one pump.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor an amount of atleast one solvent in at least one solvent reservoir. For example, thisis accomplished, in some embodiments, by various sensors and/or bytracking an amount of the at least one solvent that has been dispensed.When an amount of a solvent in a solvent reservoir is below a specifiedthreshold, the system optionally and/or selectively notifies the user(e.g., via the user interface) that the solvent reservoir should berefilled or replaced. In some embodiments, the system is configured tomonitor an amount of water in a water reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes, in addition to one or morewater reservoirs (such as water reservoir 10 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and12), one or more other solvent reservoirs, such as a second solventreservoir 8 b (as illustrated in FIG. 8), or such as an alcoholreservoir in ethanol cartridge 13 (as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12).In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of alcoholreservoirs. Any one or more of the alcohol reservoirs is able to supplyalcohol to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. As stated above, thesolvents in the solvent reservoirs comprise one or more of alcohol(e.g., ethanol), water, ethyl lactate, propylene glycol, and/or a widevariety of other alcohols and/or other solvents and their variouscombinations. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in various embodiments, alcoholin the alcohol reservoir is an alcohol mixture. In some embodiments, thealcohol mixture includes alcohol and water. For example, FIG. 10illustrates that an alcohol solvent can be an alcohol mixture of 10-100%alcohol by volume with 0-90% of water by volume.

In some embodiments, an alcohol reservoir comprises an alcohol containerhoused within the fluid mixture dispensing system. Besides supplyingalcohol to a fluid mixture, in various embodiments, alcohol isoptionally and/or selectively used to dissolve various other ingredientsto form an intermediate fluid mixture as part of a requested fluidmixture.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from analcohol reservoir to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediatefluid mixture. An example of this is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12,where in some embodiments, a predetermined amount of alcohol optionallyand/or selectively flows to mixing channel 11. The predetermined amountof alcohol is optionally and/or selectively mixed with water from awater reservoir and/or ingredients from a plurality of ingredientreservoirs in the at least one mixing channel to form an intermediatefluid mixture before flowing to a mixing chamber. In some embodiments,the water and the alcohol are mixed prior to entering the at least onemixing channel.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from analcohol reservoir to a mixing chamber. An example of this is illustratedin FIGS. 11 and 12, where in some embodiments, a predetermined amount ofalcohol from an alcohol reservoir (in ethanol cartridge 13) optionallyand/or selectively flows to final mixing chamber 7. Accordingly, thefinal mixing chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connectedto an alcohol reservoir.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from analcohol reservoir to a dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluidmixture. In various embodiments, an alcohol reservoir is optionallyand/or selectively fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber, and thedissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connectedto a mixing chamber. FIG. 11 illustrates dissolution chamber 12, andFIG. 12 illustrates solid dissolution chamber 12 a and gas dissolutionchamber 12 b. A solid dissolution chamber is configured to dissolve atleast one solid ingredient (e.g., sugar) from at least one ingredientreservoir in a solvent (e.g., alcohol and/or water). A gas dissolutionchamber is configured to dissolve at least one gaseous ingredient fromat least one ingredient reservoir in a solvent (e.g., alcohol and/orwater). In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectivelyflows a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir to agas dissolution chamber for dissolving a gaseous ingredient, andoptionally and/or selectively flows the gas-dissolved intermediate fluidmixture to a mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionallyand/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from analcohol reservoir to a solid dissolution chamber for dissolving a solidingredient, and optionally and/or selectively flows the solid-dissolvedintermediate fluid mixture to a mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of alcohol is according tothe requested fluid mixture. In other words, a predetermined amount ofalcohol that, in total, flows to a final mixing chamber, whetherdirectly or in one or more intermediate fluid mixtures, corresponds to arequired amount of alcohol in the requested fluid mixture (e.g., a fluidmixture selected from the library of predefined fluid mixtures). Forexample, if a glass of Chardonnay is selected and the predefined formulafor Chardonnay has 14% alcohol by volume, the system flows apredetermined amount of ethanol to the final mixing chamber to beincorporated such that the Chardonnay has 14% alcohol by volume (basedon volume of the other solvents and/or ingredients) of the finaldispensed fluid mixture. In some embodiments, the predetermined amountof alcohol flows from an alcohol reservoir throughout the system via atleast one pump. In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitoran amount of alcohol in an alcohol reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes ingredient reservoirs 6 (asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2B, 3, 4B, 7, and 8). An ingredientreservoir includes an “ingredient,” also referred to herein as an“ingredient mixture” to emphasize that the ingredient optionallycomprises one or more components. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in someembodiments, an ingredient mixture includes at least oneprimary/functional ingredient. A primary/functional ingredient is atleast one of a solid, a liquid, or a gas. One example of aprimary/functional ingredient is a chemical compound. Use of the word“primary” does not require that a primary/functional ingredient is acomponent of an ingredient mixture present in a largest amount orconcentration compared to other components of the ingredient mixture.For example, some primary/functional ingredients, such as capsaicin, arediluted with many times their volume of a solvent, such as water, toform an ingredient mixture. In some embodiments, a primary/functionalingredient includes: glycerine (glycerol), fructose, glucose, lacticacid, malic acid, tartaric acid, potassium phosphate tribasic, sucrose,potassium sulfate, succinic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, tricalciumphosphate, magnesium hydroxide, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, sodium phosphatedibasic, propanol, starter distillate 9×, ethyl acetate,2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, 2-phenylethanol, oxolan-2-one,iron sulfate heptahydrate, octanoic acid, hexanoic acid, 3-methylbutylacetate, decanoic acid, hexan-1-ol, ethyl octanoate, furan-2-ylmethanol,ethyl hexanoate, 2-methylpropanoic acid, furan-2-carbaldehyde, ethylbutanoate, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, ethyl decanoate, hexyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 3-methylsulfanylpropan-1-ol, ethyl propionate,butan-1-ol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde,5-methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde, isobutyl acetate, 5-pentyloxolan-2-one,ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, 5-butyl-4-methyloxolan-2-one,2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, 2-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylphenol,2-methyoxyphenol, and/or coloring agents. In various embodiments, aprimary/functional ingredient includes one or more other components,compounds, or chemicals used in the production of beverages, perfumes,detergents, cleansers, or other fluid mixtures.

In some embodiments, an ingredient mixture includes respectiveconcentrations of one or more chemical compounds. In some embodiments,an ingredient mixture includes at least one solvent. In variousembodiments, the at least one solvent is any solvent or combination ofsolvents disclosed herein. For example, an ingredient mixture in aningredient reservoir is a mixture of citric acid (primary/functionalingredient) and water at a particular concentration. Another exampleingredient mixture is a mixture of potassium sulfate (primary/functionalingredient), water, and ethanol. As described herein, one or moreingredient mixtures are optionally and/or selectively dispensed into afluid stream (a single solvent, or a mixture of one or more solvents,e.g., water and/or ethanol) and combined together to form anintermediate fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, an ingredient mixture includes at least one of asolvent (e.g., water and/or an alcohol) and an additive ingredient. Invarious embodiments, an additive ingredient is at least one of asurfactant, a preservative, and/or an emulsifier/stabilizer. Examples ofsurfactants include anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfateand/or sodium laureth sulfate, among others), and nonionic surfactants(e.g., cocamide monoethanolamine and/or cocamide diethanolamine, amongothers). Examples of preservatives include sodium benzoate and/or citricacid, among others. Examples of emulsifiers/stabilizers include gellangum and/or guar gum, among others.

In some embodiments, an ingredient is stored in respective one of aplurality of ingredient reservoirs, such as ingredient reservoirs 6 asillustrated in FIGS. 2B, 3, 4B, 7 and 8. According to variousembodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs is of one or more types,such as: a bladder bag (e.g., 6B as illustrated in FIG. 5A); a syringe(e.g., 6A as illustrated in FIG. 5A); a gravity dispense chamber; apellet dispenser; a pierceable volume; and any other container used fora solid (including crystalline, powdered, or other forms of a solid), aliquid, or a gas. In some embodiments, all of the ingredient reservoirsare of the same type. In other embodiments, the ingredient reservoirsare of two or more types. In further embodiments, an ingredientcartridge contains two or more types of ingredient reservoirs. In someembodiments, the system includes a plurality of ingredient reservoirs.In other embodiments, the system includes solely a single ingredientreservoir. According to various embodiments, ingredient reservoirs areof one or more sizes, such as (for liquid volume measurements) oneounce, two ounces, four ounces, eight ounces, 16 ounces, 32 ounces, orany other size. In some embodiments, all of the ingredient reservoirs inan ingredient cartridge are of a same size; in other embodiments, aningredient cartridge contains ingredient reservoirs of two or moresizes, such as a small (e.g., one ounce or two ounce), a medium (e.g.,four ounce or eight ounce), and a large (e.g., 16 ounce or 32 ounce)size. For example, a size of a particular ingredient reservoir isselected according to expected requirements for the ingredient in theparticular ingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, two or moreingredient reservoirs in a same ingredient cartridge contain the sameingredient.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least oneingredient from a plurality of ingredient reservoirs to at least onemixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture. An example of thisis illustrated in FIG. 11, where, in some embodiments, a predeterminedamount of at least one ingredient selectively flows from one or moreingredient reservoirs 6 to mixing channel 11. The predetermined amountof the at least one ingredient is mixed with at least one solvent (e.g.,water from a water reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol reservoir)in mixing channel 11 before flowing to final mixing chamber 7. The atleast one solvent is able to dissolve the at least one ingredient and/orto carry the at least one ingredient to the final mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least oneingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to a mixing chamber.An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 11, where in some embodiments,a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from one or moreingredient reservoirs 6 selectively flows to final mixing chamber 7. Asillustrated, at least one ingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to amixing chamber (such as the final mixing chamber). The at least oneingredient reservoir that is configured to flow an ingredient directlyto the mixing chamber is optionally and/or selectively not one of theingredient reservoirs that is fluidly connected to a mixing channel,such as mixing channel 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluidmixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least oneingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to a dissolutionchamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In further embodiments,at least one ingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to thedissolution chamber, and the dissolution chamber is fluidly connected toa mixing chamber. FIG. 11 illustrates a dissolution chamber 12, and FIG.12 illustrates solid dissolution chamber 12 a and gas dissolutionchamber 12 b. A solid dissolution chamber is configured to dissolve atleast one solid ingredient (e.g., solid citric acid) from at least oneingredient reservoir in solvent (e.g., alcohol and/or water). A gasdissolution chamber is configured to dissolve at least one gaseousingredient (e.g., CO₂) from at least one ingredient reservoir in solvent(e.g., water). In some embodiments, the at least one ingredientreservoir that is configured to flow an ingredient to the dissolutionchamber is optionally and/or selectively not one of the ingredientreservoirs that is fluidly connected to a mixing channel, such as mixingchannel 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. After the at least oneingredient is dissolved in solvent in the dissolution chamber, thedissolved intermediate fluid mixture flows to a mixing chamber, such asfinal mixing chamber 7 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

In some embodiments, predetermined amount(s) of the ingredient(s) areaccording to the requested fluid mixture. In other words, thepredetermined amount(s) of the ingredient(s) that, in total, are flowedto the final mixing chamber, whether flowed directly or in one or moreintermediate mixtures, correspond to required amount(s) of theingredient(s) in the requested fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixtureselected form the library of predefined fluid mixtures).

In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor an amount of aningredient in an ingredient reservoir. For example, this isaccomplished, in some embodiments, by various sensors and/or by trackingan amount of the ingredient that has been dispensed. When an amount ofan ingredient in an ingredient reservoir is below a specified threshold,the system optionally and/or selectively notifies the user (e.g., viathe user interface) that the ingredient reservoir needs to be refilledor replaced. In some embodiments, this includes replacing a cartridgethat stores the ingredient reservoir as explained in more detail below.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of an ingredient from aningredient reservoir is configured to be dispensed via at least onepump, such as a microfluidic pump, into a mixing channel, a mixingchamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, eachingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to a respective microfluidicpump for dispensing an ingredient in the ingredient reservoir to amixing channel, a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. In someembodiments, multiple ingredient reservoirs are fluidly connected to asingle microfluidic pump for dispensing ingredients from the ingredientreservoirs.

In some embodiments, at least one ingredient reservoir is packaged in aningredient cartridge, illustrated as ingredient cartridge 5 in FIGS. 7and 8, or ingredient cartridge 16 in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. In someembodiments, the system includes at least one ingredient cartridge. Infurther embodiments, the system includes two or more ingredientcartridges, and each of the two or more ingredient cartridges is of anytype: a solid ingredient cartridge; a liquid ingredient cartridge; agaseous ingredient cartridge; or a multi-ingredient cartridge. Forexample, FIG. 12 illustrates at least one of 0 to N solid ingredientcartridges, 0 to N gaseous ingredient cartridges, 0 to Nmulti-ingredient cartridges, and 0 to N liquid ingredient cartridges. Insome embodiments, an ingredient cartridge includes a plurality ofingredient reservoirs. In further embodiments, an ingredient cartridge,such as a multi-ingredient cartridge, includes two or more of: aningredient reservoir for solid ingredients; an ingredient reservoir forliquid ingredients; and an ingredient reservoir for gaseous ingredients.

In some embodiments, at least one ingredient cartridge is configured todispense a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at leastone ingredient reservoir to a mixing channel, a mixing chamber, and/or adissolution chamber. In some embodiments, the at least one ingredientcartridge is removably attached to the fluid mixture dispensing systemso that the at least one ingredient cartridge is refillable,replaceable, serviceable, and/or recyclable. In some embodiments, thefluid mixture dispensing system is able to operate with an ingredientcartridge missing (e.g., not installed), partly empty (e.g., only someingredient reservoirs empty), and/or (fully) empty.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of at least one ingredientin at least one ingredient reservoir is dispensed via at least one valveinto a mixing channel, a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber.In some embodiments, each ingredient reservoir has a respective valveand a respective actuator (e.g., an electromechanical valve, such as asolenoid valve, has a valve portion and an actuator portion). In someembodiments, each respective valve is configured to enable and/orcontrol a flow of a respective ingredient from an ingredient reservoir,via a respective orifice of the ingredient reservoir, to a mixingchannel, a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. For example,the respective valve, when closed, provides a respective seal over therespective orifice of the ingredient reservoir, and when opened, enablesthe flow of the respective ingredient from the ingredient reservoir. Invarious embodiments, the respective valve comprises a membrane (such asmembrane 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) that forms therespective seal when pressed against the respective orifice, and thatenables the respective ingredient to be dispensed when not pressedagainst the respective orifice.

In some embodiments, at least one ingredient cartridge is pressurizableand/or includes a respective pressurized chamber inside the at least oneingredient cartridge (e.g., a respective interior chamber). Referencesherein to a pressurized chamber refer to this pressurized chamber of theingredient cartridge, whether it is, in some embodiments, the ingredientcartridge itself, or whether it is, in other embodiments, an interiorchamber of the ingredient cartridge. The pressurized chamber houses aplurality of ingredient reservoirs such that a pressure (e.g., apressure of gas in the pressurized chamber) is applied to the ingredientreservoirs. FIG. 12, for example, illustrates air nodes of a pneumaticsystem (“Air Pressure Generation and Storage”) supplying pressurized airto various types of cartridges. In some embodiments, the system isconfigured to monitor (such as with a pressure sensor) and/or to controlthe pressure in the pressurized chamber. In various embodiments, thepressurized chamber is pressurized such that when the respective valveof one of the ingredient reservoirs is opened, the ingredient stored inthat ingredient reservoir flows (at least in part in response to thepressure) out of the ingredient reservoir towards a mixing channel, amixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. In further embodiments,the pressurized chamber is raised above a specified minimum pressureprior to when any of the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirsare opened.

In some embodiments, the pressurized chamber comprises a gas inlet, suchas an open port (e.g., with an external valve not part of thepressurized chamber and/or of the cartridge) or a one-way valve, used topressurize the pressurized chamber. In further embodiments, thepressurized chamber comprises a gas outlet valve to release pressureand/or to better regulate the pressure in the pressurized chamber. Invarious embodiments, the pressurized chamber is air-tight such that anyleakage of gas from the pressurized chamber (such as via the respectivevalves of the ingredient reservoirs, via the gas inlet, and/or via thegas outlet valve) is one or more of: insignificant over a durationduring which one or more of the ingredients are being dispensed;compensated for by a feedback system that monitors the pressure in thepressurized chamber and maintains the pressure within a margin (e.g.,plus or minus one percent, a few percent, or five percent) of a desiredpressure; and/or is accounted for in determining an amount of one ormore ingredients that are being dispensed (e.g., by measuring thepressure continuously and/or by knowing the leakage rate, an effect ofthe change in pressure due to leakage on dispense rates is calculable).

According to various embodiments, a fluid-containing (e.g.,liquid-containing) one of the ingredient reservoirs is one or more of: a“bag in a box” design; an “open-top” design; and any other designenabling a respective fluid to be dispensed from the fluid-containingingredient reservoir via a respective valve in response to a pressure ofgas in a pressurized chamber (of an ingredient cartridge) containing thefluid-containing ingredient reservoir. In some embodiments, each of theingredient reservoirs is individually replaceable. In other embodiments,the ingredient reservoirs are a part of and/or are fixedly attached tothe ingredient cartridge, and are not individually field-replaceable. Invarious embodiments, the “open-top” design, where the open top is partof the ingredient cartridge, is more reclaimable/reusable and/orrecyclable than the “bag in a box” design.

In some embodiments, the “bag in a box” design of an ingredientreservoir comprises a rigid (or semi-rigid) structure that is open(e.g., open at or near an upper end) and is thus exposed to the pressureof gas in the pressurized chamber. The structure holds a sealed bagcontaining the respective fluid and has an opening at one end so thatthe respective fluid contained in the bag is dispensable through anorifice (of the sealed bag and/or of the structure) via the respectivevalve. In various embodiments, the structure of one of the ingredientreservoirs is shared at least in part with another of the ingredientreservoirs.

In some embodiments, the “open-top” design of an ingredient reservoircomprises a rigid (or semi-rigid) structure that is open at an upperend, that directly contains the respective fluid, and that has anorifice opposite the upper end to dispense the respective fluidcontained in the structure via the respective valve. In furtherembodiments of the “open-top” design, the structure is composed ofand/or lined with a chemically-resistant compound. In variousembodiments, the structure of one of the ingredient reservoirs is sharedat least in part with another of the ingredient reservoirs. In contrastwith the “bag in a box” design, in some embodiments of the “open top”design, the respective fluid in individual ones of the fluid-containingingredient reservoirs is retained via a gas-permeable membrane coveringand/or affixed to the upper ends of the structures of a plurality of thefluid-containing ingredient reservoirs (e.g., a single, gas-permeablemembrane for all of the fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs in theingredient cartridge). The gas-permeable membrane enables the pressureof gas in the pressurized chamber to dispense the respective fluids inthe fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs via the respective orifices(selectively controllable via the respective valves), and enables gas toreplace a volume of fluid dispensed from the fluid-containing ingredientreservoirs. However, the gas-permeable membrane is not permeable to therespective fluids of the fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs andprevents the respective fluids from leaking out the open tops of therigid (or semi-rigid) structure of the fluid-containing ingredientreservoirs. In various embodiments, the ingredient cartridge isinitially filled with an inert gas, such as argon, to prevent anyoxidation of the fluid in the fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs. Infurther embodiments, the inert gas is at atmospheric pressure (e.g.,atmospheric pressure at some nominal altitude, such as at 500 feet or at1000 feet). In other embodiments, the inert gas has a negative pressure(e.g., less than atmospheric pressure at some nominal altitude, such as2500 feet or 5000 feet), in order to help ensure that gas pressure inthe ingredient cartridge does not cause any of the fluid-containingingredient reservoirs to dispense during shipping or handling.

In some embodiments, a mixing channel, the mixing chamber, and/or adissolution chamber is fluidly connected to valve outputs of theingredient reservoirs such that opening one of the respective valvesresults in the respective ingredient flowing to a mixing channel, amixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, thecontroller is configured to control a flow of a predetermined amount tobe dispensed of the respective ingredient from a particular one of theingredient reservoirs by opening the respective valve of the particularingredient reservoir for a time duration based on one or more of thepressure in the pressurized chamber, the physical flow characteristics(e.g., the viscosity, which may be temperature-dependent) of therespective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir, a diameterof an opening of the respective valve of the particular ingredientreservoir, and/or a size of the respective orifice of the particularingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, the system is calibratedto dispense/flow a predetermined amount of the respective ingredient toa mixing channel, a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber basedon the pressure in the pressurized chamber, the physical flowcharacteristics of the respective ingredient, a diameter of the openingof the respective valve and/or a diameter of the respective orifice. Insome embodiments, a time duration that a valve is open proportionallycorresponds to amounts/concentrations of at least one ingredient of alist of ingredients of a requested fluid mixture (e.g., as obtained froma chemical analysis of the components required to produce the requestedfluid mixture).

In some embodiments, the respective ingredients stored in the ingredientreservoirs are ported to the respective valves of the ingredientreservoirs via the respective orifices. In some embodiments, theingredient reservoirs (through the respective valves) are able to opento a mixing channel, such as mixing channel 11 as illustrated in FIGS.11 and 12. In some embodiments, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs isfluidly connected to a single mixing channel. In various embodiments,one mixing channel is fluidly connected to one or more other mixingchannels. In some embodiments, a first mixing channel is fluidlyconnected to a first plurality of ingredient reservoirs, and a secondmixing channel is fluidly connected to a second plurality of ingredientreservoirs. For example, a first mixing channel is fluidly connected tofive to 20 ingredient reservoirs, and a second mixing channel is fluidlyconnected to five to 20 of the same or of different ingredientreservoirs. In various embodiments, at least one solvent (e.g., waterand/or ethanol) flows through a mixing channel and mixes with anyingredient dispensed into the mixing channel. In some embodiments, theat least one solvent is dispensed into the mixing channel in order toremove any leftover ingredients (e.g., to purge or flush the mixingchannel). In various embodiments, the at least one solvent is dispensedinto the mixing channel prior to dispensing any ingredients into themixing channel to “wet” the mixing channel (e.g., to make it easier forsubsequently dispensed ingredients to flow through the mixing channel).

In some embodiments, one or more mixing channels are formed into thebottom of a plate, such as plate 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A and4B. For example, the one or more mixing channels are formed by weldingand/or brazing a structure onto a surface of the plate, by etchingand/or carving the one or more mixing channels into a surface of theplate, and/or by other techniques to create the one or more mixingchannels in or on a surface of the plate. All the one or more mixingchannels are optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to one ormore solvent reservoirs and to a mixing chamber. For example, in someembodiments, solvent enters at least one mixing channel, and at leastone ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir flows into the atleast one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture with thesolvent which then flows to a mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, the respective valve of an ingredient reservoir isable to open (e.g., to unseal) the respective orifice of the ingredientreservoir (such as orifice 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E) sothat the ingredient reservoir is able to dispense at least some of itscontents into a mixing channel (such as mixing channel 11 as illustratedin FIGS. 5C, 5D, and 5E). In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoirconnects to a membrane valve via a flat plate orifice that dispensesoutput from the ingredient reservoir. For example, a dispensing end ofthe ingredient reservoir is a flat plate with the respective orifice in(or near) the middle of the flat plate. When a membrane (e.g., membrane30 as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) is forced (e.g., pressed)against the respective orifice, no ingredient is able to flow out of theingredient reservoir (i.e., pressing the membrane against the respectiveorifice closes the respective valve). In various embodiments, acompliant material (such as compliant material 60 as illustrated inFIGS. 5D and 5E) such as a rubber pad (e.g., a fluoroelastomer pad) ispushed up (e.g., pressed) against the membrane by action of an actuator(such as actuator 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 5E) so that themembrane closes (e.g., seals) valve face 15 a (i.e., seals therespective orifice by closing the respective valve). In furtherembodiments, the compliant material is a material with a low setcapability such that it provides a consistent even seal over time. Insome embodiments, a purpose of the compliant material is to allow formisalignment of the actuator and still provide a good seal for the valveseat/orifice. In other words, the compliant material is such that it isamenable to closing the respective orifice when it is pushed up (e.g.,pressed) against the membrane and valve. In various embodiments, an areaof the actuator (and/or of the compliant material at the head of theactuator) is much larger than an area of the respective orifice,allowing the actuator to not be centered on the respective orifice andstill be able to effect sealing of the respective orifice. However, evenwhen an ingredient reservoir is in the closed position (i.e., therespective orifice is sealed by the actuator forcing the membraneagainst the respective orifice), any fluid/solvent, such as water and/oralcohol, as well as any ingredients dispensed from other ingredientreservoirs, is able to flow through the mixing channel and around theclosed ingredient reservoir. For example, in various embodiments, theactuator and the membrane, when sealing the respective orifice, do notobstruct an entire width of the mixing channel. However, when there isno force pushing (e.g., pressing) the membrane against the respectiveorifice (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5E), the respective ingredient isable to flow through the respective orifice to the mixing channel. Invarious embodiments, a width of the actuator (in a direction relative toa width of the mixing channel) is half the width of the mixing channel(e.g., the width of the actuator is 4 mm and the width of the mixingchannel is 8 mm).

In some embodiments, a single membrane (e.g., a membrane sheet) formsrespective seals for respective valves of a plurality of ingredientreservoirs. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C, membrane 30forms the respective seal for each of the respective valves of threeingredient reservoirs. As also illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 5E, membrane30 is positioned between plate 40 and base plate 25, with mixing channel11 between plate 40 and membrane 30, so that membrane 30 forms a surfaceof the mixing channel opposite a surface of the mixing channel on plate40. In some embodiments, mixing channel 11 is constructed on a surfaceof plate 40, such as by being etched into plate 40. According to variousembodiments, the membrane comprises one or more of: silicone,polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and/or anychemically-resistant thermoelastomer or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).In various embodiments, the membrane has a thickness that is between 0.1and 0.2 mm, or between 0.05 and 0.35 mm, depending, at least in part, ona composition of the membrane. In some embodiments, an ingredientcartridge comprises a plate, such as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 3 withingredient cartridge 5 and plate 40. In further embodiments, respectiveorifices of the ingredient reservoirs are on a side of the plateopposite that to which the ingredient reservoirs are installed, so thatrespective ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs flow through holesin the plate. In yet further embodiments, the holes in the platecomprise the respective orifices of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g., theingredient reservoirs are mounted so as to dispense the respectiveingredients through the holes in the plate), while in other embodiments,the respective orifices are of the ingredient reservoirs themselves, andthe ingredient reservoirs extend at least partway into the holes in theplate, possibly protruding slightly (within the compliance of themembrane) from the holes in the plate. In some embodiments, the membraneis not attached to or part of the ingredient cartridge, and is placedbetween the plate and the base plate to form the respective seals. Inother embodiments, the ingredient cartridge comprises the plate and themembrane. For example, the membrane is attached to the cartridge via anadhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In various embodiments,a surface of the plate opposite the ingredient reservoirs has one ormore mixing channels, such as one or more mixing channels etched intothe surface of the plate. In further embodiments, the one or more mixingchannels provide a fluid path from an inlet of the ingredient cartridgeto an outlet of the ingredient cartridge, where each of at least some ofthe mixing channels comprises holes or orifices allowing ones of theingredient reservoirs of the ingredient cartridge to dispense into themixing channel. According to various embodiments: the ingredientcartridge has a valve on the inlet, enabling control of a flow of asolvent into the one or more mixing channels; and/or the ingredientcartridge has a valve on the outlet, enabling control of a flow of asolvent out of the one or more mixing channels.

In some embodiments, as described above, at least one solvent from atleast one solvent reservoir is sent to a mixing channel such that anyingredient dispensed from the ingredient reservoirs into the mixingchannel is mixed with the at least one solvent to form an intermediatefluid mixture.

In various embodiments, a diameter of the respective orifice of aparticular one of the ingredient reservoirs ranges from about 0.01 to 5mm or about 0.05 to 1 mm, depending on physical flow characteristics(e.g., viscosity) of the respective ingredient stored in the particularingredient reservoir. The diameter of the respective orifice determines,at least in part, a flow rate through the respective orifice for a giveningredient's physical flow characteristic and pressurized chamberpressure. In some embodiments, the valve and ingredient reservoirassembly is interfaced with actuators (e.g., solenoids), such asactuators 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 5D and 5E, that are connected to abase plate, such as base plate 25 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5B,5C, and 5D. Each of the actuators has a respective plunger that ispre-loaded against a respective one of the respective valves byrespective springs or other forces. In some embodiments, the respectiveplungers are pre-loaded with approximately at least or equal to about 1N against the respective valves by the respective springs. In someembodiments with solenoid actuators, the respective plungers are biasedby the respective springs away from the solenoid coils such that therespective plungers push (e.g., press) with a controlled preloadedamount of force against the respective valves (e.g., against themembrane), so that in a default state of a particular solenoid, when theparticular solenoid is not activated, the respective valve is sealed. Invarious embodiments, base plate 25 comprises two or more layers, such asone layer for connection of the actuators, and a second layer for liquidinterface.

In some embodiments, the pressurized chamber pressure is regulated bythe controller and the respective orifices are of diameters andthicknesses with known tolerances to ensure that a flow rate of therespective ingredients is predictable and of a determined accuracy. Witha predictable flow rate (of a determined accuracy), valve open durationis usable to control a dispensed amount (e.g., volume) of an ingredient.In some embodiments, calibration is used to ensure that open loopdispense control (e.g., based on pressurized chamber pressure, valveopen time, etc., and without feedback of actual dispensed amounts)results in desired dispensed quantities. Alternatively, in variousembodiments, the system has closed loop amount/volume metering control(e.g., measured pressure change in the pressurized chamber over time,flow rates over time, and/or measured volumes or weights are used toverify and/or control dispensed quantities). In other embodiments, anopen loop dispense control system is configured to use feedback (such asmeasured flow rates) to monitor correctness of the open loop dispensecontrol system.

In some embodiments, accurate dispensing of a predetermined amount of atleast one ingredient from a plurality of ingredient reservoirs utilizesreal time software control of one or more actuators and one or morepressure pumps based on inputs from one or more sensors locatedthroughout the system. In various embodiments, the controller (e.g., oneor more embedded control processors) is configured to: translate formulainformation (e.g., predefined beverage ingredients and amounts) intodispense control actions (e.g., control of valves and/or pumps) that arescheduled and/or sequenced; monitor what are the contents of a giveningredient, water, and/or alcohol reservoir (e.g., using RFID tagsand/or barcodes on each of the reservoirs to identify a type of thereservoir and/or its contents); monitor remaining ingredient, water,and/or alcohol levels; and receive user input.

In some embodiments, the controller manages individual actuators and isconfigured to execute precise actuator timing to control flow time, andthus dispense a required amount (e.g., volume) of an ingredient. In someembodiments and/or usage scenarios, a typical formula for a predefinedfluid mixture includes one to 300 different ingredients, each of whichis able to be in the form of a liquid, a solid, or a gas. In someembodiments, the list of ingredients for a particular predefined fluidmixture includes dispense parameters such as a location of an ingredientreservoir containing a specific ingredient in the list of ingredients aswell as a desired dispense amount (e.g., volume) of the specificingredient. The system is configured to control and measure pressure inthe pressurized chamber, orifice flow rates, and/or ingredient physicalflow characteristics, and is configured to make appropriate computationsto determine a valve timing needed to achieve a required dispense amountof the specific ingredient. In various embodiments, the system isconfigured to calculate a most efficient sequence for mixing solventsand/or ingredients in order to minimize mixing time.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to manage individualactuators and regulate actuator timing to control flow time (e.g., howlong a valve is open) and thus dispense required amounts of therespective ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs. In someembodiments, actuator health is monitored by the controller. Forexample, the temperature of an actuator motor winding is able to beinferred from measurement of actuator current. By monitoring actuatorcurrent, the controller is able to detect a valve that is not operatingwithin defined performance limits. In some embodiments, the controlleris configured to read a voltage drop across a 0.1 ohm shunt resistor inseries with a solenoid coil of the actuator. A properly functioningsolenoid has a well-characterized and repeatable waveform, having acharacteristic solenoid coil inductive response. Measuring the actuatorcurrent provides a solenoid response waveform that is sampled with anA/D converter. A slope of this solenoid response waveform is monitoredand is indicative of valve performance. In some embodiments, a coldbaseline actuator current is measured at system startup. In variousembodiments, the actuator health monitoring allows the system to recoverfrom a sticking valve with an un-stick cycle.

In some embodiments, the controller produces pulse width modulated (PWM)signals that drive a low-side MOSFET transistor to activate theactuator. In various embodiments, PWM control allows the controller todrive the actuator solenoid coil hard to accelerate it initially, andthen to reduce the duty cycle to a lower value to hold the solenoid inan open position, thereby saving power and reducing heat. In someembodiments, the power supply for the actuators is tightly regulatedsuch that each actuator (if healthy) draws a reliable and repeatablecurrent. For example, some recipes only require a few solenoids toactuate while others require 50 or more. The difference in power drawbetween these two examples is large enough that the power supply systemdesign is important. In some embodiments, individual solenoid PWMcontrol and direct solenoid current measurement (with minimal delay) areable to ensure control of actuator timing within a very small tolerance,such as within 1 millisecond. In some embodiments, such as someembodiments with PWM control of a particular actuator, the controller isprogrammed to maintain a plunger of the particular actuator in anintermediate position between the sealed position and the fully openposition (e.g., partway open). In the intermediate position, a flow ratethrough a valve operated by the particular actuator is controllable tobe less than a flow rate in the fully open position of the valve. Invarious embodiments, use of the intermediate position between the sealedposition and the fully open position enables finer control of amounts ofingredients to be dispensed, and/or provides a method in addition to (orother than) duration of valve open time to control the amounts ofingredients to be dispensed.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to regulate the dispensepressure (e.g., the pressure of gas in the pressurized chamber) thatexpels the respective ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs whenthe respective valves are open. For example, few or many valves arerequired to be opened depending on the requested fluid mixture, andopening the valves changes an overall volume in the ingredientreservoirs as fluid is expelled. In some embodiments, the systemincludes a pressure sensor, a pressure regulator, a pressureaccumulator, and/or a pressure pump, controlled/monitored by thecontroller, to regulate pressure in the pressurized chamber. In furtherembodiments, the controller is programmed to run a closed loop,realtime, pressure monitoring routine to regulate the pressure in thepressurized chamber, and/or to determine amounts of the respectiveingredients expelled from the ingredient reservoirs based on a change inthe monitored pressure in the pressurized chamber. In some embodiments,a high-sensitivity pressure sensor is employed to monitor (with minimaldelay) pressure inside the pressurized chamber, enabling firmware tocompensate for pressure changes during dispense.

As stated above, in some embodiments, respective ingredients in theingredient reservoirs include solid (e.g., powdered) ingredients,including solid ingredient mixtures (i.e., multiple solid ingredientssuch as a mixture of glucose powder and sucrose powder). In variousembodiments, an ingredient reservoir containing a solid ingredient is agravity dispense chamber. In some embodiments, a precise amount of asolid (e.g., powdered) ingredient is mechanically moved by an individualactuator to an exit orifice, and from there to a dissolution chamber.According to various embodiments, a single actuator (e.g., a solenoid ora voice coil) is used to dispense contents of multiple solid ingredientreservoirs, and/or a respective actuator is used to dispense contents ofeach solid ingredient reservoir.

In some embodiments, when an ingredient reservoir includes a syringe,plungers of the syringes are exposed to a controlled pressure in thepressurized chamber that provides a regulated force pushing on theplungers. In further embodiments, even with the plungers removed,ingredients in the syringes still receive force to expel the ingredients(e.g., into a mixing channel or a mixing chamber) when the respectivevalves for those ingredient reservoirs are opened. In some embodiments,an inert gas, such as argon, is used to protect ingredients fromoxidation/degradation. In other embodiments, the controller isconfigured to displace (such as with a linear motor) at least oneplunger of a syringe to flow a predetermined amount of the ingredient inthe syringe to a mixing chamber. Such systems flow the predeterminedamount of the ingredient in the syringe to the mixing chamber viainjection distance of the plunger (hence volume dispense). This is apositive placement method instead of a time/pressure orifice method. Insome embodiments of the time/pressure orifice method, the controller isconfigured to interpret readings from a pressure sensor and calculatethe dispensed volume from each separate ingredient reservoir. Acombination of these methods can be utilized together to form a moreprecise control of the dispensed volume. For example, in furtherembodiments, ingredient reservoirs with syringes are controlled with thepositive placement method, and other ingredient reservoirs arecontrolled with the time/pressure orifice method.

In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoirs are loaded into orattached to the pressurized chamber with a controlled pressure forproviding expulsion force. In other embodiments, the pressurizedchamber, when assembled and prior to a first use, has a negativepressure to help ensure that the ingredient reservoirs do not leak.

In some embodiments, as described above, the chemical analysis of afluid mixture provides a detailed list of ingredients that make up thefluid mixture. In various embodiments, the system includes at leastabout 5, at least about 10, at least about 20, at least about 30, atleast about 40, or at least about 50 ingredient reservoirs. In someembodiments, a cartridge includes at least about 5, at least about 10,at least about 20, at least about 30, at least about 40, or at leastabout 50 ingredient reservoirs. In various embodiments, the systemincludes at most about 500, at most about 250, at most about 150, atmost about 100, at most about 75, at most about 50, at most about 40, atmost about 30, at most about 25, at most about 20, at most about 15, orat most about 10 ingredient reservoirs. In some embodiments, a cartridgeincludes at most about 500, at most about 250, at most about 150, atmost about 100, at most about 75, at most about 50, at most about 40, atmost about 30, at most about 25, at most about 20, at most about 15, orat most about 10 ingredient reservoirs. In various embodiments, any ofthe ingredients are a liquid, a solid, a gas, and/or a combinationthereof. For example, the ingredients include an amount of an acid inliquid form, an amount of a sugar in powdered/granule form, and/or anamount of compressed nitrogen or CO₂ in gas form.

In some embodiments, because one or more of the ingredients required tocreate a particular fluid mixture are used in small amounts (e.g., lessthan 0.1 mL, less than 0.01 mL, less than 0.001 mL, or as small as 50uL), a high level of repeatability and precision is required whendispensing ingredients to be combined with one or more solvents to formthe particular fluid mixture. In some embodiments, a predeterminedamount of at least one ingredient required to form the particular fluidmixture is at most 3 L, at most 2 L, at most 1 L, at most 500 mL, atmost 250 mL, at most 100 mL, at most 50 mL, at most 25 mL, at most 10mL, at most 5 mL, at most 1 mL, at most 0.5 mL, at most 0.1 mL, at most0.01 mL, at most 0.001 mL, or at most 50 uL. Accordingly, in furtherembodiments, the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirs supportprecision over a wide range of dispense amounts, varying by as much as afactor of one hundred, a factor of one thousand, or more.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the system includes at least one heatexchanger. A heat exchanger is selectively able to adjust thetemperature of a fluid in a chamber, a flow line (e.g., tubing orpiping), a mixing channel, etc. either up (i.e., acting as heater) ordown (i.e., acting as a chiller). For example, a certain beverage issupposed to be served at a specific temperature, or a user may select adesired temperature at which their beverage is to be dispensed. Invarious embodiments, a predetermined amount of one or more solvents(e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir and/or apredetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) is cooledand/or heated by a heat exchanger prior to flowing to a mixing channel,a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, thetemperature to which the one or more solvents are cooled and/or heatedis according to a fluid mixture request received by the system (e.g.,user selection of a beverage at 10° C., etc.).

In some embodiments, the system includes a first temperature sensorconfigured to measure a temperature of a solvent flowing from a solventreservoir to at least one heat exchanger, a second temperature sensorconfigured to measure a temperature of a second solvent flowing from asecond solvent reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger, and a thirdtemperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a solventmixture (first and second solvent combined) from the at least one heatexchanger to a mixing channel, a mixing chamber, and/or a dissolutionchamber. For example, in various embodiments, the system includes afirst temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of waterflowing from a water reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger, asecond temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of alcoholflowing from an alcohol reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger,and a third temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature ofthe water/alcohol mixture from the at least one heat exchanger to amixing channel. In some embodiments, the system adjusts the temperatureof the at least one heat exchanger based on the temperature sensormeasurements such that an intermediate fluid mixture sent to the finalmixing chamber meets requested temperature requirements.

In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of heat exchangers,such as those illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, at various pointsthroughout the system. In some embodiments, a predetermined amount ofsolvent from a solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooledand/or heated by a first heat exchanger prior to flowing to a mixingchannel, and a predetermined amount of a second solvent from a secondsolvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heatedby a second heat exchanger prior to flowing to the mixing channel. Forexample, a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir iscooled/heated by a first heat exchanger prior to flowing to a mixingchannel, and a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoiris cooled/heated by a second heat exchanger prior to flowing to themixing channel.

In some embodiments, the system includes a heat exchanger such that anyfluid mixture formed in a mixing chamber (such as the final mixingchamber) is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heated by theheat exchanger. This helps ensure that the fluid mixture dispensed meetsa temperature requirement received in a fluid mixture request. In someembodiments, a mixing channel includes (or is attached to) a heatexchanger to heat an intermediate fluid mixture formed in the mixingchannel. In some embodiments, a dissolution chamber includes (or isattached to) a heat exchanger to help dissolution of an ingredient inone or more solvents. In some embodiments, one or more ingredientreservoirs and/or an ingredient cartridge include (or are attached to) aheat exchanger to control the temperature of the one or more ingredientreservoirs and/or the ingredient cartridge.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one heat exchangersuch that a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at leastone solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/orheated by the at least one heat exchanger prior to flowing to adissolution chamber to help with dissolution of a predetermined amountof at least one ingredient. In some embodiments, the dissolution chamberitself is optionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooled by the heatexchanger to help with the dissolution of the predetermined amount ofthe at least one ingredient.

In some embodiments, the system includes a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle)that is fluidly connected to the final mixing chamber. At block 106 ofFIG. 1, in some embodiments, the system is configured to dispense thefluid mixture (e.g., the beverage) via the dispenser after the fluidmixture is formed in the final mixing chamber. In some embodiments, thedispenser is used to make a solid (e.g., to extrude the fluid mixture)and controls are added to make 3D structures, such as via 3D printing.In some embodiments, the final beverage has a volume of at most 3 L, atmost 2 L, at most 1 L, at most 750 mL, at most 500 mL, at most 250 mL,at most 200 mL, at most 150 mL, at most 100 mL, at most 50 mL, at most25 mL, at most 10 mL, at most 5 mL, or at most 1 mL.

In some embodiments, the system includes a fluid mixture holder sensor,and the controller is programmed to dispense the fluid mixture only whena fluid mixture holder is detected by the fluid mixture holder sensor.FIGS. 2A, 2B, 11 and 12 illustrate fluid mixture holder 4 (e.g., adispensed mixture container, such as a wine glass, teacup, shot glass,etc.). In some embodiments, the system includes a drip tray sensor, andthe controller is programmed to determine whether a drip tray is presentand/or an amount of fluid in the drip tray. In some embodiments, thesystem includes a dispensing sensor, and the dispensing sensor isconfigured to determine whether a dispensing profile of the fluidmixture dispensing is satisfactory.

In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein dispense air atvarious points throughout the system, for example at air nodes asillustrated in FIG. 12. For example, in some embodiments, air isutilized to maintain pressure in the pressurized chamber. In variousembodiments, air is used as a purge for a flow line, a mixing chamber, adissolution chamber, and/or a mixing channel so that there is noleftover solvent or solvent mixture prior to starting a next fluidmixture. In some embodiments, air is used to help dispense solventand/or an ingredient from an ingredient reservoir. In variousembodiments, air is used to control a pneumatic valve to control flow orto help eject a cartridge.

Although the method in FIG. 1 (or in FIG. 16) is only with respect to asingle fluid mixture (e.g., a beverage), in some embodiments the systemis able to receive a request for a second fluid mixture and, in responseto receiving the request for the second fluid mixture, repeat and/ormodify the operations of FIG. 1 (or the operations of FIG. 16) todispense the second fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture can be thesame as or can be different from the first fluid mixture. For example, apredetermined amount of at least one solvent and/or of at least oneingredient is different for the second fluid mixture as compared to thefirst fluid mixture. Accordingly, predetermined amounts of one or moresolvents and of one or more ingredients from the plurality of ingredientreservoirs can all be different for the second fluid mixture as comparedto the first fluid mixture. Further, the second fluid mixture may useone or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients that were not usedin the first fluid mixture, and/or the second fluid mixture may not useone or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients that were used inthe first fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein are able to make manydifferent combinations of fluid mixtures based on respective requests.Once a request is received for a fluid mixture, the system automaticallycreates and dispenses the requested fluid mixture by flowing the properamounts of one or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients fromtheir respective reservoirs to the final mixing chamber and thendispensing via the dispenser.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer in accordance with some embodiments. Insome embodiments, computer 1200 is a component of a system fordispensing fluid mixtures, such as the controller (which may comprise aplurality of sub-controllers). In various embodiments, the system fordispensing fluid mixtures includes more than one computer 1200 asdescribed above. In some embodiments, computer 1200 is configured toexecute a method for dispensing a fluid mixture, such as all or part ofmethod 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1, method 1600 describedbelow with respect to FIG. 16, or any other method disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is a host computer connected to anetwork. According to various embodiments, computer 1200 is a clientcomputer or a server. As illustrated in FIG. 9, computer 1200 is anysuitable type of processor-based (e.g., microprocessor-based) device,such as a personal computer, a workstation, a server, or a handheldcomputing device (such as a phone or a tablet). In some embodiments, thecomputer includes, for example, one or more of processor 1210, inputdevice 1220, output device 1230, storage 1240, and communication device1260.

In some embodiments, input device 1220 is any suitable device thatprovides input, such as a touch screen or touch pad, a keyboard, amouse, or a voice-recognition device. Other possible input devicesinclude an accelerometer or a microphone for monitoring system health.In some embodiments, output device 1230 is any suitable device thatprovides output, such as a touch screen, a monitor, a printer, a diskdrive, or a speaker.

In some embodiments, storage 1240 is any suitable device that providesstorage, such as an electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, including aRAM, cache, hard drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or removable storagedisk. In some embodiments, communication device 1260 includes anysuitable device capable of transmitting and receiving signals over anetwork, such as a network interface chip or card. In variousembodiments, the components of the computer are connected in anysuitable manner, such as via a physical bus or wirelessly. In someembodiments, storage 1240 is a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium comprising one or more programs, which, when executed by one ormore processors, such as processor 1210, cause the one or moreprocessors to execute methods described herein, such as all or part ofmethod 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1, all or part of method1600 described below with respect to FIG. 16, and any other methoddescribed herein.

In some embodiments, software 1250, which is optionally and/orselectively stored in storage 1240 and executed by processor 1210,includes, for example, programming that embodies the functionality ofthe present disclosure (e.g., as embodied in the systems, computers,servers, and/or devices as described above). In some embodiments,software 1250 is implemented on and/or executed on a combination ofservers such as application servers and database servers.

In some embodiments, software 1250 is able to be stored and/ortransported within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as those described above (e.g., processor 1210), that can fetch andexecute instructions associated with the software from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of thisdisclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can be any medium, suchas storage 1240, that can contain or store programming for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

In some embodiments, software 1250 is able to be propagated within anytransport medium for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device, such as those described above,that can fetch and execute instructions associated with the softwarefrom the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In thecontext of this disclosure, a transport medium can be any medium thatcan communicate, propagate, or transport programming for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The transport medium can include, but is not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wirelesspropagation medium.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is connected to a network, which canbe any suitable type of interconnected communication system. The networkcan implement any suitable communications protocol and can be secured byany suitable security protocol. In some embodiments, the networkcomprises network links of any suitable arrangement that implement thetransmission and reception of network signals, such as wireless networkconnections, T1 or T3 lines, cable networks, DSL, or telephone lines.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is able to implement any operatingsystem suitable for operating on the network. In some embodiments,software 1250 is written in any suitable programming language, such asC, C++, Java, or Python. In various embodiments, application softwareembodying the functionality of the present disclosure is deployed indifferent configurations, such as in a client/server arrangement orthrough a Web browser as a Web-based application or Web service, forexample.

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate different example views of an ingredientcartridge, and FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart representing an exemplarymethod used in a system including the ingredient cartridge. FIG. 13illustrates an example exploded view 1300 of a bottom portion of theingredient cartridge. In FIG. 13, 1301 illustrates a membrane sheet(such as membrane 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E), 1302illustrates an adhesive layer, and 1303 illustrates a plate (such asplate 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E) providing a rigidstructure for a bottom of the ingredient cartridge. In some embodiments,the plate comprises one or more of aluminum and/or a plastic. A bottomsurface of the plate (the surface away from the interior of theingredient cartridge) has formed into it (such as by carving or etchinginto the plate to create recesses) or onto it (such as by gluing,brazing or welding on a 3D structure to create recesses) one or morechannels (e.g., the recesses) for fluid flow, such as mixing channel 11as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 11, and 12. (The one or morechannels are further illustrated in FIG. 14.) The adhesive layer is anadhesive or a tape (such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive) that, in someembodiments, is in the form of a template corresponding to the one ormore channels so that the adhesive layer is able to adhere the membranesheet to walls of the one or more channels, leaving the one or morechannels open for fluid flow. According to various embodiments, themembrane sheet comprises one or more of: silicone, polyurethane,thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and/or any chemically-resistantthermoelastomer or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In variousembodiments, the membrane sheet has a thickness that is between 0.1 and0.2 mm, or between 0.05 and 0.35 mm, depending, at least in part, on acomposition of the membrane sheet.

Not illustrated in FIG. 13 is a base plate (such as base plate 25 asillustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) on which, in someembodiments, the membrane sheet (and hence, at least in part, theingredient cartridge) rests. In further embodiments, the base plateprevents the membrane sheet from contacting other parts of the system.In various embodiments, a height of the walls of the one or morechannels (i.e., a depth of the recesses) is such that that a requiredfluid flow rate through the one or more channels is achieved, and/or sothat the one or more channels are able to remain open even when there isno fluid flow. In some embodiments, the one or more channels aregenerally filled with fluid (e.g., fluid being dispensed) or with a gas(e.g., air for purging fluid paths), enabling the channels to stay open.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example bottom view 1400 of the ingredientcartridge with the membrane removed to illustrate the one or morechannels of the plate (e.g., 1303 in FIG. 13). In FIG. 14, 1400references the bottom view of the plate, 1401 references the one or morechannels (e.g., two channels, illustrated as vertical in FIG. 14, andseven channels, illustrated as horizontal, that “fork” towards the rightside to form 14 channels), 1402 illustrates one of the plurality of“holes” for respective orifices of ingredient reservoirs in theingredient cartridge. 1403 illustrates a fluid outlet, 1404 illustratesa gas inlet, 1405 illustrates a fluid inlet, and 1406 illustrates aconnection point enabling fluid from the fluid inlet to enter the one ormore channels. Structure in the interior of the ingredient cartridgefluidly connects the fluid inlet to the connection point and thus to theone or more channels and to the fluid outlet. That is, fluid (e.g., asolvent) is propelled (e.g., pumped) through the fluid inlet and thenthrough the connection point to enter the one or more channels and flowthrough the one or more channels to the fluid outlet. In someembodiments, a fluid inlet valve and/or a fluid flow rate sensor aredisposed at or near the fluid inlet. In further embodiments, the fluidinlet valve and/or the fluid flow rate sensor are inside the ingredientcartridge (e.g., as part of the structure fluidly connecting the fluidinlet to the connection point), while in other embodiments the fluidinlet valve and/or the fluid flow rate sensor are outside of (and notpart of) the ingredient cartridge. The gas inlet provides a flow of gasunder pressure to pressurize a pressurized chamber of the ingredientcartridge. In some embodiments, a gas inlet valve and/or a gas pressuresensor is disposed at or near the gas inlet. In further embodiments, thegas inlet valve and/or the gas pressure sensor are inside the ingredientcartridge, while in other embodiments the gas inlet valve and/or the gaspressure sensor are outside of (and not part of) the ingredientcartridge. In some embodiments, a fluid outlet valve and/or a fluid flowrate sensor are disposed at or near the fluid outlet. In furtherembodiments, the fluid outlet valve and/or the fluid flow rate sensorare inside the ingredient cartridge, while in other embodiments thefluid outlet valve and/or the fluid flow rate sensor are outside of (andnot part of) the ingredient cartridge.

The holes in the plate illustrate positions of ingredient reservoirs onthe other side of the plate, as the holes are places where respectiveorifices of the ingredient reservoirs come through the plate. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, 1402 indicates one of the holes with therespective orifice of the ingredient reservoir in the center. In someembodiments, such as where the ingredient reservoirs are fixedlyattached to the plate, the holes are the respective orifices. Asillustrated, walls of the holes through the plate are sloped to improvedispensing of the ingredients (as indicated by the two circlessurrounding the respective orifice in 1402). The holes also include aflat plate surrounding the respective orifice (as indicated by the innercircle surrounding the respective orifice in 1402). In variousembodiments, a size of the respective orifice is much smaller than asize of the respective flat plate. For example, the respective orificeis 0.3 mm wide or smaller, and the respective flat plate is 2.7 mm wide.In further embodiments, a size of the respective flat plate isdetermined by a size of the hole in the plate, while a size of therespective orifice varies with a type of respective ingredient in theingredient reservoir.

In various embodiments, a size of the respective orifice varies with atype of respective ingredient in the ingredient reservoir, and can varyfrom 0.1 mm (or less with some types of the ingredients) to 1 mm (or asmuch as 5 mm with some types of the ingredients). In some embodiments,the ingredient reservoirs are inhibited from leaking due to a small sizeof the respective orifices compared to a viscosity of the respectiveingredients in the ingredient reservoirs. For example, pressure on theingredient reservoirs (e.g., by pressurizing the pressurized chamber) isrequired to enable the respective ingredients to be dispensed.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 (and also in FIG. 3), an arrangement of theholes is a two-dimensional structure. This arrangement corresponds topositions where the ingredient reservoirs are placeable (or formable) inthe interior of the ingredient cartridge (e.g., in the pressurizedchamber), generally one of the ingredient reservoirs for each of theholes. The particular arrangement illustrated in FIG. 14 allows for atleast one row of large ones of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g., the leftside of FIG. 14), multiple rows of medium ones of the ingredientreservoirs (e.g., towards the middle of FIG. 14), and multiple rows ofsmall ones of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g., the right side of FIG.14). Many such arrangements are possible depending on required numbersand sizes of the ingredient reservoirs, though a given ingredientcartridge having the one or more channels formed on the bottom plate hasa fixed arrangement of the holes (and of the one or more channels). Inspecific embodiments of the invention, the actuator which forces themembrane against the orifice can be larger than the flat plate toalleviate alignment requirements for the orifices of the cartridge andthe device on which the cartridge is placed while at the same timeassuring that the membrane is forced against the entire flat plate. Forexample, if the flat plate were 2.7 mm of less, the head of the actuatorcould be 4 mm or wider.

While FIG. 14 illustrates several of the one or more channels asappearing to all be of a similar width, according to variousembodiments, the one or more channels are one or more of: all of thesame width; of varying widths based on factors such as orientation,types of expected ingredients, and/or anticipated flow rate; of varyingwidths depending on a distance from the fluid inlet and/or the fluidoutlet; wider prior to a fork (e.g., a “Y”) and skinnier on the branchesof the fork; wide enough near the holes that, even if the respectiveactuator for one of the respective orifices is closed, fluid flowthrough the channel is not obstructed by the respective actuator; ofvarying widths at and/or near the holes; and any other combination ofwidths. In a first example, vertical (as illustrated in FIG. 14) ones ofthe one or more channels (supporting fluid flow more directly from thefluid inlet and more directly to the fluid outlet) are wider thanhorizontal ones of the one or more channels. In a second example, thevertical (as illustrated in FIG. 14) ones of the one or more channelsare wider nearer the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and taper furtherfrom the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. In a third example,particular ones of the horizontal (as illustrated in FIG. 14) ones ofthe one or more channels are wider than others of the horizontalchannels to support a higher fluid flow rate (e.g., more solvent fromthe fluid inlet) and thus are more suitable for higher-viscosityingredients. In a fourth example, one of the one or more channels havingone or more of the holes is at least twice as wide as the respectiveactuators. That is, if a width of each of the respective actuators(e.g., the width of a pad at the head of the respective actuator) isapproximately 4 mm wide, then the one of the channels having the one ormore of the holes is approximately 8 mm wide.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example cut-away perspective view 1500 of aportion of the ingredient cartridge, with some of the ingredientreservoirs removed. The view in FIG. 15 illustrates the opposite (i.e.,top) side of the plate from that illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 15,1501 references a position of the one or more channels (e.g., 1401 asillustrated in FIG. 14) to better illustrate positions of the holes,1502 illustrates one of the plurality of holes for the respectiveorifices of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g., a view from the oppositeside of the plate from 1402 as illustrated in FIG. 14), 1503 illustratesa cut-away view of an ingredient reservoir of the cartridge, 1504illustrates the gas inlet (e.g., 1401 as illustrated in FIG. 14), 1505illustrates the fluid inlet (e.g., 1405 as illustrated in FIG. 14), and1506 illustrates the connection point enabling fluid from the fluidinlet 1505 to enter the one or more channels (e.g., 1406 as illustratedin FIG. 14). Not illustrated in FIG. 15 is the entirety of a pathfluidly connecting the fluid inlet to the connection point. While 1501illustrates the position of the one or more channels, the one or morechannels may not be visible in the view illustrated in FIG. 15 as theone or more channels are on the opposite side of the plate (illustratedin FIG. 14). (For example, in embodiments where the plate is formed of atransparent or translucent plastic, the one or more channels might bevisible in the view illustrated in FIG. 15, but this would not likely bethe case in other embodiments where the plate is formed of metal, suchas aluminum, or opaque plastic.)

FIG. 16 illustrates a flowchart representing an exemplary method 1600 ofpreparing and dispensing a fluid mixture. Method 1600 begins (start1610) with a request to dispense a selected fluid mixture (e.g., abeverage). A controller of the system determines, from the recipe forthe selected fluid mixture, a sequence of operations of the system(e.g., control of pumps, valves, etc.) to prepare and dispense the fluidmixture. The operations in FIG. 16 illustrate an example of the sequenceof operations to prepare and dispense the fluid mixture. The order ofoperations illustrated in FIG. 16 is merely one example, and othersequences of operations (e.g., changing an order of the illustratedoperations and/or adding other operations or removing one or more of theillustrated operations) are optionally and/or selectively used invarious embodiments and/or usage scenarios. Further, a size and/or anorientation of the boxes in FIG. 16 should not be consideredsignificant.

Cartridge Actions 1620 in FIG. 16 indicates a subset of the operationsthat are related to the ingredient cartridge. In operation 1622, a firstamount of fluid (e.g., a solvent from a solvent reservoir, and/or amixture of two or more solvents from two or more solvent reservoirs)flows (e.g., is pumped) from the fluid inlet through the one or morechannels of the ingredient cartridge, such as to “pre-wet” the one ormore channels so that respective ingredients dispensed from theingredient reservoirs are not dispensed into a “dry” channel. In someembodiments and/or usage scenarios, the fluid outlet is open (e.g.,without a valve, or with an open valve), and at least some of the firstamount of fluid is retained in the one or more channels due to effectivebackpressure into the one or more channels from air in the fluid pathfed by the fluid outlet. In operation 1624, one or more of therespective ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs are dispensed intothe one or more channels (mixing with any remaining amount of the firstamount of fluid), and possibly flowing, at least in part, to the fluidoutlet as part of an intermediate fluid mixture. In operation 1626, asecond amount of fluid (e.g., solvent) flows from the fluid inletthrough the one or more channels of the ingredient cartridge to thefluid outlet. In operation 1628, the second amount of fluid mixes withthe dispensed ingredients and flows through the fluid outlet as (moreof) the intermediate fluid mixture. The intermediate fluid mixture flowsto a mixing chamber (see operation 1640). In various embodiments, thevolume of the fluid and/or the force with which the fluid flows (e.g.,is pumped) overcomes any backpressure at the fluid outlet. In someembodiments, not illustrated in FIG. 16, as part of and/or afteroperation 1628, air is forced through the fluid inlet to flush anyremaining amount of the fluid and/or the dispensed ingredients to thefluid outlet. In some embodiments, the flow of the first amount of fluidin operation 1622 ends prior to a start of the dispensing of theingredients in operation 1624, and the flow of the second amount offluid in operation 1626 starts after an end of the dispensing of theingredients in operation 1624. In other embodiments, the flow of thefirst amount of fluid in operation 1622 and/or the flow of the secondamount of fluid in operation 1626 overlaps with the dispensing of theingredients in operation 1624. In further embodiments, the flow of thefirst amount of fluid in operation 1622 and the flow of the secondamount of fluid in operation 1626 are one continuous flow of fluid, andthe dispensing of the ingredients in operation 1624 occurs during theone continuous flow.

In some embodiments, the mixing chamber in operation 1640 is a finalmixing chamber, and in other embodiments, the mixing chamber is prior toa final mixing chamber. In operation 1630, one or more other fluids(e.g., respective solvents from one or more solvent reservoirs) aredispensed directly to the mixing chamber. According to variousembodiments, operation 1630 occurs one or more of: prior to cartridgeactions 1620; during at least some of cartridge actions 1620; aftercartridge actions 1620; and any combination of the foregoing (e.g., theone or more other fluids are dispensed other than in a continuous flow).In operation 1640, the intermediate fluid mixture and the one or moreother fluids mix in the mixing chamber and then flow to either a finalmixing chamber (operation 1680), if there is a final mixing chamber, ordirectly to a dispenser (operation 1690).

In operation 1670, if there is a separate final mixing chamber (separatefrom the mixing chamber in operation 1640), at least one other fluid(e.g., respective solvents from one or more solvent reservoirs) isdispensed directly to the final mixing chamber where, in operation 1680,the at least one other fluid is mixed with a fluid flow from the priormixing chamber (operation 1640).

In operation 1690, a resulting fluid mixture (either from operation 1640if there is no final mixing chamber, or from operation 1680 if there isa final mixing chamber) is dispensed, such as through a dispenser (e.g.,a nozzle).

A collection of specific embodiments, including at least some explicitlyenumerated as ‘EEs’ (example embodiments), providing additionaldescription of a variety of embodiment types in accordance with theconcepts described in the present disclosure; these examples are notmeant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and theinvention is not limited to these example embodiments but ratherencompasses numerous possible modifications and variations within thescope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

EE1) An ingredient cartridge comprising: a plate; a plurality ofingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients, havingrespective orifices, and sealed by respective seals, wherein each of theingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respectiveingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when therespective seal is unsealed; a membrane adjacent to the plate andconfigured to form, when pressed against the respective orifices, therespective seals; and wherein each of the respective seals isselectively able to be unsealed by not pressing the membrane against therespective orifice.

EE2) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the plate comprises one ormore channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; whereinthe membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels opposite asurface of the one or more channels on the side of the plate adjacent tothe membrane; and wherein, according to a recipe, the respectiveingredients from selected ones of the plurality of ingredient reservoirsare enabled to be dispensed into the one or more channels.

EE3) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein the one or more channelsare etched into the plate.

EE4) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein a base plate external tothe ingredient cartridge is configured to press the membrane towards theplate so that the membrane provides the surface of the one or morechannels.

EE5) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein the respective orificesare formed into the plate.

EE6) The ingredient cartridge of EE5, wherein the plurality ofingredient reservoirs are fixedly attached to the plate on a side of theplate opposite the side of the plate adjacent to the membrane.

EE7) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein each of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs comprises a respective flat plate at one end, andthe respective orifices are in the respective flat plate.

EE8) The ingredient cartridge of EE7, wherein the respective flat plateof each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is below a surface ofthe plate of the ingredient cartridge opposite the side of the plateadjacent to the membrane.

EE9) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein the one or more channelsare a plurality of channels; and wherein the respective ingredients fromtwo or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured tobe dispensed via the respective orifices into a particular one of theplurality of channels.

EE10) The ingredient cartridge of EE9, wherein the respective seals ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable viarespective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of therespective plungers configured to (a) by default press a respectiveportion of the membrane against the respective orifice to form therespective seal, and (b) when activated, retract so that the respectiveportion of the membrane is not pressed against the respective orifice,thus unsealing the respective orifice to enable dispensing of therespective ingredient.

EE11) The ingredient cartridge of EE10, wherein a width of theparticular channel is such that the respective ingredient dispensed froma dispensing one of the two or more of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs is able to flow around the respective plunger of anon-dispensing one of the two or more of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE12) The ingredient cartridge of EE10, further comprising apressurizable chamber; wherein one wall of the pressurizable chambercomprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirsis contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE13) The ingredient cartridge of EE2, further comprising an inlet andan outlet; and

wherein a flow of a solvent from the inlet to the outlet mixes with therespective ingredients dispensed from the selected ingredientreservoirs.

EE14) The ingredient cartridge of EE13, further comprising structure todirect the flow of the solvent from the inlet into the one or morechannels, and to direct flow from the one or more channels to theoutlet.

EE15) The ingredient cartridge of EE14, wherein the structure comprisesthe one or more channels.

EE16) The ingredient cartridge of EE15, wherein a base plate external tothe ingredient cartridge is configured to press the membrane towards theplate so that the membrane provides the surface of the one or morechannels.

EE17) The ingredient cartridge of EE15, wherein at least some of thestructure is attached to the plate.

EE18) The ingredient cartridge of EE15, wherein at least some of thestructure is a part of the plate.

EE19) The ingredient cartridge of EE13, wherein the flow of the solventfrom the inlet to the outlet comprises an initial flow of the solventfrom the inlet to the outlet to wet the one or more channels, a pause inthe flow of the solvent while the respective ingredients are dispensedfrom the selected ingredient reservoirs, and a final flow of the solventfrom the inlet to the outlet to flush the one or more channels.

EE20) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the respective seals ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable viarespective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of therespective plungers configured to (a) by default press a respectiveportion of the membrane against the respective orifice to form therespective seal, and (b) when activated, retract so that the respectiveportion of the membrane is not pressed against the respective orifice,thus unsealing the respective orifice to enable dispensing of therespective ingredient.

EE21) The ingredient cartridge of EE20, wherein respectiveelectromechanical valves comprise the respective plungers.

EE22) The ingredient cartridge of EE21, wherein each of the respectiveelectromechanical valves comprise a respective solenoid.

EE23) The ingredient cartridge of EE22, wherein each of the respectiveelectromechanical valves is a motorized valve.

EE24) The ingredient cartridge of EE20, wherein each of the respectiveelectromechanical valves is able to move the respective plunger from asealed position where the respective orifice is held sealed to a fullyopen position in which the respective orifice is unsealed as much as therespective plunger allows.

EE25) The ingredient cartridge of EE24, wherein each of the respectiveelectromechanical valves is able to maintain the respective plunger inat least one intermediate position between the sealed position and thefully open position; and wherein, when dispensing, a flow of therespective ingredient in the intermediate position is less than a flowof the respective ingredient in the fully open position.

EE26) The ingredient cartridge of EE20, wherein a largest cross-sectionof the respective plunger is at least twice as large as a largestcross-section of the respective orifice so that alignment constraints ofthe ingredient cartridge to the respective plungers are eased.

EE27) The ingredient cartridge of EE26, wherein the largestcross-section of the respective plunger is at least four times as largeas the largest cross-section of the respective orifice.

EE28) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the respective orificesare arranged in a two-dimensional structure.

EE29) The ingredient cartridge of EE28, wherein the two-dimensionalstructure is a rectangular grid.

EE30) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, further comprising an air-tight,pressurized chamber with a gas inlet; wherein one wall of thepressurized chamber comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality ofingredient reservoirs is contained in the pressurized chamber.

EE31) The ingredient cartridge of EE30, wherein, prior to installationof the ingredient cartridge in a dispensing system, the membrane isconfigured to prevent the plurality of ingredient reservoirs fromleaking via the respective orifices.

EE32) The ingredient cartridge of EE31, wherein, prior to installationof the ingredient cartridge in the dispensing system, negative pressurein the pressurized chamber holds the membrane against the respectiveorifices.

EE33) The ingredient cartridge of EE30, wherein the pressurized chamberis configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet so that pressure isapplied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE34) The ingredient cartridge of E33, wherein the pressure applied tothe plurality of ingredient reservoirs is a pressure of gas in thepressurized chamber.

EE35) The ingredient cartridge of E33, wherein a size of the respectiveorifice of a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs issuch, compared to a viscosity of the respective ingredient in theparticular ingredient reservoir, that the respective ingredient is notable to leak out of the particular ingredient reservoir via therespective orifice unless the pressure applied to the plurality ofingredient reservoirs is higher than atmospheric pressure.

EE36) The ingredient cartridge of EE33, wherein, when installed in adispensing system, the respective seals of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs are held sealed until the pressure applied to the pluralityof ingredient reservoirs is greater than a threshold value.

EE37) The ingredient cartridge of EE33, wherein an amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the pluralityof ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of an amount ofthe pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and aduration of time the respective orifice of the particular ingredientreservoir is unsealed.

EE38) The ingredient cartridge of EE37, wherein a controller external tothe ingredient cartridge is programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoirby controlling the duration of time the respective orifice of theparticular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE39) The ingredient cartridge of EE38, wherein the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoiris a function of one or more of viscosity of the respective ingredientand a size of the respective orifice of the particular ingredientreservoir.

EE40) The ingredient cartridge of EE38, wherein the controller isfurther programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredientdispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling adegree to which the respective orifice of the particular ingredientreservoir is unsealed.

EE41) The ingredient cartridge of EE38, wherein the controller isfurther programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredientdispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling theamount of the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE42) The ingredient cartridge of EE37, wherein a pressure sensormeasures the amount of the pressure applied to the plurality ofingredient reservoirs; and wherein a controller external to theingredient cartridge is configured to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoiras a function of a change in the measured pressure while the respectiveorifice of the particular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE43) The ingredient cartridge of EE42, wherein the pressure sensor isexternal to the ingredient cartridge.

EE44) The ingredient cartridge of any of EE39 to EE43, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense a wide range in the amountof the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredientreservoir.

EE45) The ingredient cartridge of EE44, wherein the wide range is atleast a factor of one hundred.

EE46) The ingredient cartridge of EE44, wherein the wide range is atleast a factor of one thousand.

EE47) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, further comprising an inlet andan outlet; and wherein a flow of a solvent from the inlet to the outletmixes with the respective ingredients dispensed from dispensing ones ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE48) The ingredient cartridge of EE47, wherein the flow of the solventfrom the inlet to the outlet comprises an initial flow of the solventfrom the inlet to the outlet, a pause in the flow of the solvent whilethe respective ingredients are dispensed from the dispensing ones of theplurality of ingredient reservoirs, and a final flow of the solvent.

EE49) The ingredient cartridge of EE48, wherein the pause in the flow ofthe solvent begins before and ends after dispensing the respectiveingredients from the dispensing ones of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE50) The ingredient cartridge of EE48, wherein the pause in the flow ofthe solvent is not as long as a duration of dispensing the respectivecontents from the dispensing ones of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE51) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the plurality ofingredient reservoirs is positioned above the respective orifices sothat the respective ingredients from the plurality of ingredientreservoirs are enabled to be dispensed, at least in part, by gravity.

EE52) The ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the membrane is attachedto at least a portion of the plate.

EE53) The ingredient cartridge of EE52, wherein the membrane is attachedto the at least a portion of the plate by an adhesive.

EE54) The ingredient cartridge of EE52, wherein the plate comprisesrecesses on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane, the recessesforming one or more channels; wherein, according to a recipe, therespective ingredients from selected ones of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs are enabled to be dispensed into the one or more channels;and wherein non-recessed portions of the plate comprise the at least aportion of the plate.

EE101) A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising: (1) a cartridgecomprising: (a) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containingrespective ingredients, having respective orifices, and sealed byrespective seals; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet; (2) a membraneadjacent to a plate of the cartridge and configured to form, whenpressed against the respective orifices, the respective seals; and (3) aplurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality ofelectromechanical valves respective to one of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs and configured to (a) in a default state, pressagainst the membrane to cause the membrane to form the respective sealof the respective ingredient reservoir, and (b) in an active state,retract from the membrane to dispense the respective ingredient via therespective orifice; and wherein at least one channel formed between themembrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solvent flowing fromthe inlet to mix with the respective ingredients from dispensing ones ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs to form an intermediate fluidmixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture to flow to the outlet.

EE102) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber one wall of whichcomprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirsis contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE103) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein themembrane comprises a silicone sheet disposed over the respectiveorifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE104) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein themembrane comprises a thermoelastomer or thermoplastic elastomer sheetdisposed over the respective orifices of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE105) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein thecartridge further comprises the membrane.

EE106) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE105, wherein themembrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge.

EE107) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE106, wherein themembrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge by an adhesive.

EE108) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective solenoid.

EE109) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective spring anda respective plunger; and wherein, in the default state, the respectivespring is configured to press the respective plunger against themembrane to cause the membrane to form the respective seal of therespective ingredient reservoir.

EE110) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE109, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves further comprises a respectivecoil; and wherein, in the active state, the respective coil isconfigured to retract the respective plunger from the membrane todispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice.

EE111) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE110, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber one wall of whichcomprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirsis contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE112) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the solventflowing from the inlet comprises an initial flow of the solvent from theinlet to wet the at least one channel, a pause in a flow of the solventfrom the inlet while dispensing the respective ingredients from thedispensing ones of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, and a finalflow of the solvent from the inlet to the outlet to flush the at leastone channel to the outlet.

EE113) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE112, wherein the pausein the flow of the solvent begins before and ends after the dispensingthe respective ingredients from the dispensing ones of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs.

EE114) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE112, wherein the pausein the flow of the solvent is not as long as a duration of thedispensing the respective ingredients from the dispensing ones of theplurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE115) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein thecartridge further comprises the plate; and wherein the respectiveorifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are in the plate.

EE116) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE115, wherein thecartridge further comprises the membrane; and wherein the membrane isattached to the plate.

EE117) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the inletcomprises a valve configured to enable or disable a flow of the solvent.

EE118) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the outletcomprises a valve configured to enable or disable a flow of theintermediate fluid mixture.

EE119) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the atleast one channel is a plurality of channels; and wherein the respectiveingredients from two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirsare configured to be dispensed via the respective orifices into aparticular one of the plurality of channels.

EE120) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE119, wherein therespective orifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs arearranged in a two-dimensional structure.

EE121) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE120, wherein thetwo-dimensional structure is a rectangular grid.

EE122) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE120, wherein thetwo-dimensional structure comprises one or more rows of the respectiveorifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; wherein a particularrow of the one or more rows of the respective orifices of the pluralityof ingredient reservoirs includes at least three of the respectiveorifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and wherein the onesof the plurality of ingredient reservoirs having the at least three ofthe respective orifices are configured to be dispensed into theparticular channel.

EE123) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE119, wherein a width ofthe particular channel is wider than the respective seal of anon-dispensing one of the two or more of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE124) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE119, wherein a width ofthe particular channel is such that the solvent flowing from the inletflows around the respective seal of a non-dispensing one of the two ormore of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE125) The fluid mixture dispensing system of any of EE123 or EE124,wherein a percentage of the width of the particular channel not blockedby the respective seal of the non-dispensing one of the two or more ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs is at least 25%.

EE126) The fluid mixture dispensing system of any of EE123 or EE124,wherein a percentage of the width of the particular channel not blockedby the respective seal of the non-dispensing one of the two or more ofthe plurality of ingredient reservoirs is at least 50%.

EE127) The fluid mixture dispensing system of any of EE125 or EE126,wherein the respective seal of the non-dispensing one of the two or moreof the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is, within a margin of fivepercent of the width of the particular channel, centered within theparticular channel.

EE128) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE119, wherein thecartridge further comprises structure to direct the solvent flowing fromthe inlet into the plurality of channels, and to direct flow from theplurality of channels to the outlet.

EE129) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, wherein the flowfrom the plurality of channels to the outlet comprises the intermediatefluid mixture.

EE130) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, wherein at least apart of the structure is on a side of the plate of the cartridge facingthe membrane.

EE131) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE130, wherein the atleast a part of the structure comprises one or more walls; and whereinthe plurality of channels is formed by recesses between the one or morewalls.

EE132) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, wherein the plateof the cartridge comprises at least a part of the structure.

EE133) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, wherein at least apart of the structure is attached to the plate of the cartridge.

EE134) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, further comprisinga base plate; and wherein the base plate is configured to press themembrane against at least a part of the structure.

EE135) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE134, wherein theplurality of electromechanical valves is attached to the base plate.

EE136) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, further comprisinga mixing chamber configured to receive the intermediate fluid mixture.

EE137) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE136, further comprisingone or more solvent reservoirs configured to selectively dispenserespective solvents into the mixing chamber.

EE138) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE137, wherein the mixingchamber is a first mixing chamber; and further comprising a secondmixing chamber configured to receive a flow from the first mixingchamber and an additional solvent.

EE139) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE138, wherein theadditional solvent comprises a sweetener.

EE140) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE138, wherein theadditional solvent comprises carbonated water.

EE141) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE136, further comprisinga dispenser configured to receive a flow from the mixing chamber.

EE142) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, further comprisinga controller programmed to control, according to a recipe, activation ofselected ones of the plurality of electromechanical valves to dispensethe respective ingredients of the respective ones of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs.

EE143) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE142, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber with a gas inlet;wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate of thecartridge; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs iscontained in the pressurized chamber.

EE144) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE143, wherein thepressurized chamber is air-tight.

EE145) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE143, wherein, prior toinstallation of the cartridge in the fluid mixture dispensing system,the membrane is configured to prevent the plurality of ingredientreservoirs from leaking via the respective orifices.

EE146) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE145, wherein, prior toinstallation of the cartridge in the fluid mixture dispensing system,negative pressure in the pressurized chamber holds the membrane againstthe respective orifices of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE147) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE143, wherein thepressurized chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet sothat pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE148) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE147, wherein thepressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is a pressureof gas in the pressurized chamber.

EE149) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE147, wherein, wheninstalled in the fluid mixture dispensing system, the respective sealsof the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be heldsealed until the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredientreservoirs is greater than a threshold value.

EE150) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE147, wherein an amountof the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of theplurality of ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of: (a)an amount of the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredientreservoirs; and (b) a duration during which the particular ingredientreservoir is enabled to dispense.

EE151) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE150, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoirby controlling the duration during which the particular ingredientreservoir is enabled to dispense.

EE152) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE151, wherein the amountof the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredientreservoir is a function of one or more of viscosity of the respectiveingredient of the particular ingredient reservoir and a size of therespective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir.

EE153) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE151, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoirby controlling a rate at which the particular ingredient reservoir isenabled to dispense.

EE154) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE153, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to control the rate at which theparticular ingredient reservoir is enabled to dispense by controlling adegree to which the respective seal of the particular ingredientreservoir is unsealed.

EE155) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE151, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoirby controlling the amount of the pressure applied to the plurality ofingredient reservoirs.

EE156) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE150, further comprisinga pressure monitor configured to monitor the amount of the pressureapplied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoiras a function of a change in the monitored pressure during dispensing ofthe respective ingredient of the particular ingredient reservoir.

EE157) The fluid mixture dispensing system of any of EE150 to EE156,wherein the controller is programmed to dispense a wide range in theamount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particularingredient reservoir.

EE158) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE157, wherein the widerange is at least a factor of one hundred.

EE159) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE157, wherein the widerange is at least a factor of one thousand.

EE160) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective plungerwhich, in the default state, is configured to press against the membraneto cause the membrane to form the respective seal of the respectiveingredient reservoir, and, in the active state, is configured to retractfrom the membrane to dispense the respective ingredient via therespective orifice.

EE161) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE160, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber one wall of whichcomprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirsis contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE162) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE160, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves is configured to move therespective plunger from, in the default state, a sealed position wherethe respective orifice of the respective ingredient reservoir is heldsealed by the respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir to,in the active state, a fully open position in which the respectiveorifice of the respective ingredient reservoir is unsealed as much asthe respective plunger allows.

EE163) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE162, wherein each of theplurality of electromechanical valves is further configured to maintainthe respective plunger in at least one intermediate position between thesealed position and the fully open position; and wherein a rate of theflow of the respective ingredient of the respective ingredient reservoiris less in the intermediate position than in the fully open position.

EE164) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE163, further comprisinga controller programmed to set the intermediate position of each of theplurality of electromechanical valves between the sealed position andthe fully open position to control the rate of the flow of therespective ingredient of the respective ingredient reservoir to be lessthan the rate of the flow of the respective ingredient of the respectiveingredient reservoir in the fully open position.

EE165) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, further comprisingone or more solvent reservoirs configured to dispense a respectivesolvent to flow to the inlet.

EE166) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE165, wherein each of theone or more solvent reservoirs comprises a respective electromechanicalvalve controlling dispensing of the respective solvent.

EE167) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE166, further comprisingone or more pumps configured to move the respective solvents dispensedfrom dispensing ones of the one or more solvent reservoirs.

EE168) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE166, further comprisinga controller programmed to control, according to a recipe, activation ofselected ones of the respective electromechanical valves of the one ormore solvent reservoirs to dispense the respective solvents of theselected ones of the one or more solvent reservoirs.

EE169) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE168, wherein at leastone of the one or more solvent reservoirs is configured to beselectively controllable by the controller to dispense the respectivesolvent to the inlet, to a mixing chamber, or to both the inlet and themixing chamber.

EE170) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE165, wherein the one ormore solvent reservoirs are at least two solvent reservoirs; and whereina mixture of the respective solvents of two of the at least two solventreservoirs is configured to flow to the inlet.

EE201) A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising: (1) a cartridgecomprising: (a) at least one ingredient reservoir containing arespective ingredient, having a respective orifice, and sealed by arespective seal; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet; (2) a membraneattached to a raised surface of a plate of the cartridge and configuredto form, when pressed against the respective orifice of each of the atleast one ingredient reservoir, the respective seal; and (3) at leastone electromechanical valve, each of the at least one electromechanicalvalve respective to one of the at least one ingredient reservoir andconfigured to cause the membrane to form the respective seal of therespective ingredient reservoir; and wherein at least one channel formedbetween the membrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solventflowing from the inlet to mix with the respective ingredient fromdispensing ones of the at least one ingredient reservoir to form anintermediate fluid mixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture toflow to the outlet.

EE202) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber one wall of whichcomprises the plate; and wherein the at least one ingredient reservoiris contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE203) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, wherein thecartridge further comprises the membrane.

EE204) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE203, wherein themembrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge.

EE205) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, further comprisinga controller programmed to control, according to a recipe, activation ofselected ones of the at least one electromechanical valve to dispensethe respective ingredients of the respective ones of the at least oneingredient reservoir.

EE206) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE205, wherein thecartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber with a gas inlet;wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate of thecartridge; and wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir iscontained in the pressurized chamber.

EE207) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE206, wherein thepressurized chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet sothat pressure is applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir.

EE208) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE207, wherein an amountof the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the atleast one ingredient reservoir is controlled by one or more of: (i) anamount of the pressure applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir;and (ii) a duration during which the particular ingredient reservoir isenabled to dispense.

EE209) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE208, wherein thecontroller is further programmed to dispense the amount of therespective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoirby controlling the duration during which the particular ingredientreservoir is enabled to dispense.

EE210) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, wherein each of theat least one electromechanical valve comprises a respective plungerwhich, in a default state, is configured to press against the membraneto cause the membrane to form the respective seal of the respectiveingredient reservoir, and, in an active state, is configured to retractfrom the membrane to enable the respective ingredient reservoir todispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice.

EE211) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, further comprisingone or more solvent reservoirs configured to dispense a respectivesolvent to flow to the inlet.

EE212) The fluid mixture dispensing system of EE211, wherein the one ormore solvent reservoirs are at least two solvent reservoirs; and whereina mixture of the respective solvents of two of the at least two solventreservoirs is configured to flow to the inlet.

EE301) A method used in a fluid mixture dispensing system having acartridge, the cartridge comprising (a) a plurality of ingredientreservoirs containing respective ingredients, having respectiveorifices, and sealed by respective seals, (b) an inlet, and (c) anoutlet, the method comprising: keeping closed one or more non-dispensingones of a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the pluralityof electromechanical valves respective to one of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the non-dispensingelectromechanical valves seals the respective seal of the respective oneof the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; selectively opening one ormore dispensing ones of the plurality of electromechanical valves,wherein each of the dispensing electromechanical valves unseals therespective seal of the respective one of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs; dispensing at least some of the respective ingredients fromeach of the ones of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs whoserespective seal is unsealed; mixing, in at least one channel formedbetween a membrane and a plate of the cartridge, solvent from the inletwith the dispensed respective ingredients to form an intermediate fluidmixture; flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to the outlet; andwherein the membrane is configured to form, when pressed by a respectiveplunger of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves against therespective orifice of the respective one of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs, the respective seal of the respective one of the pluralityof ingredient reservoirs.

EE302) The method of EE301, wherein the keeping closed is a defaultstate of each of the non-dispensing ones of the plurality ofelectromechanical valves.

EE303) The method of EE302, wherein each of the electromechanical valvescomprises a respective solenoid.

EE304) The method of EE301, further comprising pressing, by therespective plunger of each of the non-dispensing ones of the pluralityof electromechanical valves, the membrane against the respective orificeof the respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE305) The method of EE304, further comprising forming, by the pressingof the respective plunger of each of the non-dispensing ones of theplurality of electromechanical valves against the respective orifice ofthe respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, therespective seal of the respective one of the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.

EE306) The method of EE301, wherein the cartridge further comprises apressurized chamber with a gas inlet; wherein one wall of thepressurized chamber comprises the plate of the cartridge; wherein theplurality of ingredient reservoirs is contained in the pressurizedchamber; and further comprising pressurizing, prior to the selectivelyopening, the pressurized chamber via the gas inlet so that pressure isapplied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE307) The method of EE306, further comprising controlling, by acontroller, the selectively opening according to a recipe for abeverage.

EE308) The method of EE307, further comprising controlling, by thecontroller, an amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from aparticular one of the ones of the plurality of ingredient reservoirswhose respective seal is unsealed by one or more of: (i) an amount ofthe pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (ii)a duration during of the selectively opening of the particularingredient reservoir.

EE309) The method of EE301, wherein the mixing comprises: flowing, priorto the dispensing, a first portion of the solvent from the inlet to wetthe at least one channel; pausing the flowing of the first portion ofthe solvent from the inlet; and flowing, subsequent to the pausing, asecond portion of the solvent from the inlet; and wherein at least apart of the dispensing is during the pausing.

EE310) The method of EE309, further comprising flowing the intermediatefluid mixture from the outlet to a mixing chamber.

EE311) The method of EE310, wherein the solvent from the inlet is afirst solvent from at least one solvent reservoir; and furthercomprising flowing a second solvent from the at least one solventreservoir to the mixing chamber to mix with the intermediate fluidmixture.

EE312) The method of EE311, further comprising dispensing contents ofthe mixing chamber via a dispenser.

EE313) The method of EE311, further comprising mixing two or moresolvents from the at least one solvent reservoir to form the solventfrom the inlet,

EE314) The method of EE311, further comprising pumping at least onesolvent from the at least one solvent reservoir to provide the firstportion of the solvent and the second portion of the solvent.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and othertechnical and scientific terms or terminology used herein are intendedto have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In somecases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein forclarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of suchdefinitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent asubstantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

Reference to “about” a value or parameter herein includes (anddescribes) variations that are directed to that value or parameter perse. For example, description referring to “about X” includes descriptionof “X”. In addition, reference to phrases “less than”, “greater than”,“at most”, “at least”, “less than or equal to”, “greater than or equalto”, or other similar phrases followed by a string of values orparameters is meant to apply the phrase to each value or parameter inthe string of values or parameters.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It is also to be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It is further to beunderstood that the terms “includes, “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or units but donot preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and/or groupsthereof.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure include process steps, methodoperations, and instructions described herein in the form of analgorithm. It should be noted that the process steps, method operations,and instructions of the present disclosure could be embodied insoftware, firmware, or hardware and, when embodied in software, could bedownloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used bya variety of operating systems. Unless specifically stated otherwise asapparent from the following, it is appreciated that, throughout thedescription, descriptions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “displaying,” “generating” orthe like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, orsimilar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transformsdata represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computersystem memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission, or display devices.

The present disclosure in some embodiments also relates to a device forperforming the operations herein. This device may be speciallyconstructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by acomputer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may bestored in a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, such as,but not limited to, any type of disk, including floppy disks, USB flashdrives, external hard drives, optical disks, CD-ROMS, magnetic-opticaldisks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronicinstructions, and each connected to a computer system bus. Furthermore,the computing systems referred to in the specification may include asingle processor may be architectures employing multiple processordesigns, such as for performing different functions or for increasedcomputing capability. Suitable processors include central processingunits (CPUs), graphical processing units (GPUs), field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), and ASICs.

The methods, devices, and systems described herein are not inherentlyrelated to any particular computer or other apparatus. Variousgeneral-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordancewith the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct amore specialized apparatus to perform the required method operations.The structure for a variety of these systems can appear from thedescription above. In addition, the present disclosure is not describedwith reference to any particular programming language. It will beappreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used toimplement the teachings of the present invention as described herein.

This application discloses several numerical ranges in the text andfigures. The numerical ranges disclosed inherently support any range orvalue within the disclosed numerical ranges, including the endpoints,even though a precise range limitation is not stated verbatim in thespecification because this disclosure can be practiced throughout thedisclosed numerical ranges.

The above description is presented to enable a person skilled in the artto make and use the disclosure, and is provided in the context of aparticular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Thus, this disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ingredient cartridge comprising: a plate; aplurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients,having respective orifices, and sealed by respective seals, wherein eachof the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respectiveingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when therespective seal is unsealed; a membrane adjacent to the plate andconfigured to form, when pressed against the respective orifices, therespective seals; and wherein each of the respective seals isselectively able to be unsealed by not pressing the membrane against therespective orifice.
 2. The ingredient cartridge of claim 1, wherein theplate comprises one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent tothe membrane; wherein the membrane provides a surface of the one or morechannels opposite a surface of the one or more channels on the side ofthe plate adjacent to the membrane; and wherein, according to a recipe,the respective ingredients from selected ones of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs are enabled to be dispensed into the one or morechannels.
 3. The ingredient cartridge of claim 2, wherein the one ormore channels are etched into the plate.
 4. The ingredient cartridge ofclaim 2, wherein the respective orifices are formed into the plate. 5.The ingredient cartridge of claim 4, wherein the plurality of ingredientreservoirs are fixedly attached to the plate on a side of the plateopposite the side of the plate adjacent to the membrane.
 6. Theingredient cartridge of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs comprises a respective flat plate at one end, andthe respective orifices are in the respective flat plate.
 7. Theingredient cartridge of claim 2, wherein the one or more channels are aplurality of channels; and wherein the respective ingredients from twoor more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to bedispensed via the respective orifices into a particular one of theplurality of channels.
 8. The ingredient cartridge of claim 7, whereinthe respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs areselectively controllable via respective plungers external to theingredient cartridge, each of the respective plungers configured to: (a)by default press a respective portion of the membrane against therespective orifice to form the respective seal, and (b) when activated,retract so that the respective portion of the membrane is not pressedagainst the respective orifice, thus unsealing the respective orifice toenable dispensing of the respective ingredient.
 9. The ingredientcartridge of claim 8, wherein a width of the particular channel is suchthat the respective ingredient dispensed from a dispensing one of thetwo or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is able to flowaround the respective plunger of a non-dispensing one of the two or moreof the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.
 10. The ingredient cartridgeof claim 8, further comprising a pressurizable chamber; wherein one wallof the pressurizable chamber comprises the plate; and wherein theplurality of ingredient reservoirs is contained in the pressurizablechamber.
 11. The ingredient cartridge of claim 2, further comprising aninlet and an outlet; and wherein a flow of a solvent from the inlet tothe outlet mixes with the respective ingredients dispensed from theselected ingredient reservoirs.
 12. The ingredient cartridge of claim 1,further comprising an air-tight, pressurized chamber with a gas inlet;wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate; andwherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is contained in thepressurized chamber.
 13. The ingredient cartridge of claim 12, whereinthe pressurized chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gasinlet so that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredientreservoirs.
 14. The ingredient cartridge of claim 13, wherein a size ofthe respective orifice of a particular one of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs is such, compared to a viscosity of the respectiveingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir, that the respectiveingredient is not able to leak out of the particular ingredientreservoir via the respective orifice unless the pressure applied to theplurality of ingredient reservoirs is higher than atmospheric pressure.15. An ingredient cartridge comprising: a plate; at least one ingredientreservoir containing a respective ingredient, having a respectiveorifice, and sealed by a respective seal, wherein each of the at leastone ingredient reservoir is configured to dispense the respectiveingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when therespective seal is unsealed; a membrane attached to a raised surface ofthe plate and configured to form, when pressed against the respectiveorifice of each of the at least one ingredient reservoir, the respectiveseal; and wherein the respective seal of each of the at least oneingredient reservoir is selectively able to be unsealed by not pressingthe membrane against the respective orifice.
 16. The ingredientcartridge of claim 15, wherein the plate comprises one or more channelson a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; wherein the membraneprovides a surface of the one or more channels opposite a surface of theone or more channels on the side of the plate adjacent to the membrane;and wherein, according to a recipe, the respective ingredient of atleast one selected one of the at least one ingredient reservoir isenabled to be dispensed into the one or more channels.
 17. Theingredient cartridge of claim 16, wherein the one or more channels areetched into the plate.
 18. The ingredient cartridge of claim 16, whereinthe respective orifice of the at least one ingredient reservoir isformed into the plate.
 19. The ingredient cartridge of claim 18, whereineach of the at least one ingredient reservoirs are fixedly attached tothe plate on a side of the plate opposite the side of the plate adjacentto the membrane.
 20. The ingredient cartridge of claim 15, furthercomprising an inlet and an outlet; and wherein a flow of a solvent fromthe inlet to the outlet mixes with the respective ingredient dispensedfrom the at least one selected ingredient reservoir.
 21. The ingredientcartridge of claim 15, further comprising an air-tight, pressurizedchamber with a gas inlet; wherein one wall of the pressurized chambercomprises the plate; and wherein the at least one ingredient reservoiris contained in the pressurized chamber.
 22. The ingredient cartridge ofclaim 21, wherein the pressurized chamber is configured to bepressurized via the gas inlet so that pressure is applied to the atleast one ingredient reservoir.
 23. The ingredient cartridge of claim22, wherein a size of the respective orifice of a particular one of theat least one ingredient reservoir is such, compared to a viscosity ofthe respective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir, thatthe respective ingredient is not able to leak out of the particularingredient reservoir via the respective orifice unless the pressureapplied to the at least one ingredient reservoir is higher thanatmospheric pressure.
 24. The ingredient cartridge of claim 15, whereinthe membrane is attached to at least a portion of the plate by anadhesive.
 25. A fluid mixture dispensing system containing a removableingredient cartridge, the ingredient cartridge comprising: a plate; aplurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients,having respective orifices, and sealed by respective seals, wherein eachof the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respectiveingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when therespective seal is unsealed; a membrane adjacent to the plate andconfigured to form, when pressed against the respective orifices, therespective seals; and wherein each of the respective seals isselectively able to be unsealed by not pressing the membrane against therespective orifice.
 26. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 25,wherein the plate comprises one or more channels on a side of the plateadjacent to the membrane; wherein the membrane provides a surface of theone or more channels opposite a surface of the one or more channels onthe side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; and wherein, accordingto a recipe, the respective ingredients from selected ones of theplurality of ingredient reservoirs are enabled to be dispensed into theone or more channels.
 27. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim26, wherein the one or more channels are a plurality of channels; andwherein the respective ingredients from two or more of the plurality ofingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed via the respectiveorifices into a particular one of the plurality of channels.
 28. Thefluid mixture dispensing system of claim 27, wherein the respectiveseals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectivelycontrollable via respective plungers external to the ingredientcartridge, each of the respective plungers configured to: (a) by defaultpress a respective portion of the membrane against the respectiveorifice to form the respective seal, and (b) when activated, retract sothat the respective portion of the membrane is not pressed against therespective orifice, thus unsealing the respective orifice to enabledispensing of the respective ingredient.
 29. The fluid mixturedispensing system of claim 28, wherein a width of the particular channelis such that the respective ingredient dispensed from a dispensing oneof the two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is able toflow around the respective plunger of a non-dispensing one of the two ormore of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.
 30. The fluid mixturedispensing system of claim 28, further comprising a pressurizablechamber; wherein one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprises theplate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is containedin the pressurizable chamber.